Education

Parents know they should read to their children. It’s the right thing to do to help them gain reading readiness skills. But did you know that talking to children is equally important in getting them ready for learning? 

The teen brain is an amazing thing – especially when it’s hard at work learning about itself. Through the St. Louis Area Brain Bee (SLABB) on Feb. 17, Washington University and the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) are giving future researchers, physicians, and scientists the chance to get up close and personal with the human brain and discover what truly makes us tick – all while they compete for great prizes.

There is a logical order to the way parents and teachers introduce literature to children. After board books for babies and toddlers, comes picture books, the staple of pre-schoolers that will continue to be interesting up to ages six or seven. But, once children master decoding, the unlocking of sounds into meaningful words and sentences, they are ready for a greater challenge. They want to join the world of “real readers” and that means tackling chapter books.

A new children's book from the Missouri History Museum Press introduces today’s elementary school students to the changemakers of the past and empowers them to find their own voices. Standing Up for Civil Rights in St. Louis takes young readers on an eye-opening journey that’s both surprising and inspirational.

As school classrooms become more focused on math, science, reading and writing excellence, our children may be missing out on some of the most important skills they can learn—appreciation of and active participation in the arts.

Now in its 20^th year, the Unlock the Magic of Learning fundraiser has become a must-do for families across St. Louis. Held at Grant’s Farm, the event combines the traditional aspects of a fundraising gala – dinner, live and silent auction, and cover band (in this case, Smash Band) – with kid-friendly activities for the young and young at heart.

Schools are rapidly preparing lesson plans and viewings, but for families with kids younger than school age, there are a number of viewing events throughout the area that you can attend.