Written by Susan Ramsay

It’s 3 a.m. Your newborn baby is crying. You feed and change him but the reprieve from his sorrowful cry is only momentary. What now? If only he could talk. You cradle and rock your little one, patting his back, reaching into your memory for a soothing tune. “Rock a… READ MORE

Written by Susan Ramsay

Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     “Know what?” When we hear that lead-in we know our child has a story to tell.   From the time children begin to understand language we teach them about storytelling. A parent arrives home after being away for the day and asks,… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

It’s trivia time. Answer the following questions. Check your score to see how clever you really are…. Which Christmas movie is based on a children’s book that was first published 60 years ago? Which story was published in 1960 on a $50 bet that an entire book could not be… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

Emma’s mom looked at the calendar. It was still summertime. August stretched before them promising beach days and popsicles. But August would also be the last chance to prepare Emma for the thing that would change her three-year-old’s life forever – school. Would Emma be ready? Would Emma know what… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist The holiday season is upon us and helping us to explore the celebrations, excitement, and meaning of this special time of year is a whole cast of children’s book characters. Elves, cats, porcupines and more are preparing for the holidays. ‘Twas the month before… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

I sat in the theatre-style auditorium of a Toronto school, listening. At an early learning conference entitled The Value of Listening, it seemed the logical thing to do. Throughout that two day conference I experienced the value of respectful attention for the two Reggio Emilia educators and presenters, Ameila Gambetti… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

“Ok everyone, stand up and do a back flip.” I remember the look of disbelief, shocked silence, and a few nervous giggles from the audience as occupational therapist Amy Quilty began her presentation with this command. She spoke to a room full of early learning educators and parents, yet not… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

“Are we there yet?” Only ten minutes into a six hour journey, it may be hard to match your young child’s excitement with “Not yet, honey.” But parents who travel with children are resourceful. They know there are more options than mesmerizing children into silence with movies or electronic games.… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

Stars, silent and distant, have the power to bring my brisk pace to a full and complete stop – bags and belongings in hand in my driveway with darkness all around. To my naked eye stars appear only as specks of light gracing the night sky, yet they ground me… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

Second guessing our internal clocks is not unusual. When clocks spring forward or fall back to accommodate Daylight Savings Time or Standard Time, that shadow of doubt about time can appear especially long. Arranging to Skype with my daughter who lives in a time zone six hours ahead of my… READ MORE

Written by Early Literacy

I’d seen it before in the dentist’s office - a mural-sized scene, mounted and hung on the wall to amuse young patients awaiting their checkups.  The cartoon picture has a “Where’s Waldo” quality about it with multitudinous sheep, bears and vehicles filling the canvas to all edges of the picture.… READ MORE

Written by Susan Ramsay

Theoretically, I believe it is possible. Someone somewhere may have missed the experience altogether. But, personally, I have never met a single soul who has told me that grocery shopping with a small child does not include some degree of challenge. As an infant nestled into the grocery cart in… READ MORE

Written by Susan Ramsay

Julie Dotsch’s eyes sparkled warmly as she engaged the group of 40 early learning educators, caregivers and librarians. “Let’s think about the biggest needs of newcomer families to Canada.” And so the Saturday workshop began with conversation, reflection, and role-playing to help workshop participants prepare for Syrian children and families… READ MORE

Written by Susan Ramsay

Can’t make heads or tails out of it? He keeps beating around the bush and it is making you feel bent out of shape? Well, if you are in over your head, zip your lip, and let sleeping dogs lie. No one is trying to pull the wool over your… READ MORE

Written by Susan Ramsay

Eighteen- month-old Liam squirmed in his dad’s lap at the library’s storytime. Liam had been straining to use his feet to reach another toddler in the group. His dad tickled Liam gently. Liam giggled and wriggled. And then Liam heard it, adults and children singing his favourite poem…. “The itsy… READ MORE

Written by Susan Ramsay

Liam drew a loop with his yellow marker, hesitated and then attached two smaller loops to one end of the loop. The connected sausage-shapes sat on top of a large orange scribble. “Pickachu is on the school bus!” Liam changed the colour of his marker to a light green and… READ MORE