March is Reading Month
*The American Academy of Pediatrics has teamed up with Reading is Fundamental to offer a reading check list for children of all ages. It helps you assess your child's reading level and what you can do to encourage your child to read more.
This suggestion was offered in the Summer 2007 newsletter. We think that the age-specific checklists are so useful that we thought it worth mentioning again in honor of "March is Reading" month. |
What We are Reading to Our Children
Stefanie has been reading Skippyjon Jones by Judith Byron Schachner, the Magic Tree House series, and Mr Peabody's Apple by Madonna, a cautionary tale about gossip and thinking before you speak.
Andy recommends the Magic Tree House series too. Andy has also been reading the Little House on the Prairie books and a picture book called Grandma's Bears by Gina Wilson.
When her kids were little, Terry read these stories of true friendship and tolerance: Marcus and Lionel by Ronne Randall, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, and Little Bear by Else Minarik.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein showed up on Laura's list too. She also recommended Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and recently read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume with her second grader.
Favorites in Julie's house were Goodnight Moon, Rainbow Fish, Mr Mooney Won't You Please Go Home, and Love You Forever. As the kids grew older they loved the Harry Potter series. Julie particularly liked the American Girl book, The Care and Keeping of You, when her daughter neared the teenage years.
A favorite in Leann's household is The Guiness Book of World Records, but for fiction her children have loved The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo.
Carrie has been reading Are You My Mother by Dr Seuss, The Mitten by Jan Brett, and Stranger in the Woods by Carls Sams II and Jean Stoick to her children.
While Misha has been reading a lot of series with the older children, including the Harry Potter series, she has loved reading The Occasional Cow by Polly Horvath and The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill, which was a childhood favorite. Misha's all-time favorite picture book is Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney.
Scott's favorites are Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr Seuss, Amos and Boris and anything else by William Steig.
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Schedule Your Child's Summer Physical Today
If you think your child will need a health form for a summer activity or to start school in the fall, we encourage you to call the office now. Appointments fill up quickly in the summer, and we would prefer to schedule you at a time that is convenient for you and with the provider of your choice.
Call the office at 734.475.4500 or e-mail Julie at julie@mykidsdoc.org. (Please note that e-mail is not a secure form of communication and you should allow 2 business days for a reply).
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Pennies for Peace- Bring in your Pennies
We're collecting pennies during the month of March in conjunction with a penny drive that will be held in all 3 Chelsea School District elementary schools. At the end of the month the pennies will be sent to an organization that builds schools for girls and boys in Pakistan and Afghanistan in small villages where children might not otherwise learn to read.
As founder Greg Mortensen, in his best-selling book Three Cups of Tea, emphasizes "A 5th grade education for girls improves not only the basic indices of health for her and her family, she will also spread the value of education within her community. Literacy, for both boys and girls, provides better economic opportunities in the future and neutralizes the power of despot mullahs and other extremist leaders."
As a practice, we are excited to collect pennies beacuse it is a concrete way for even our young children to participate in helping others. Also, bringing pennies to the office gives the children another way to interact with our office in a way that will hopefully make them feel more comfortable when they come in for a visit.
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Upcoming Events
Look for details in upcoming announcements!
Car Seat Clinic on March 14: spaces still available!
Coffee with the Doctor: April 2008
3rd Annual Field Trip to Tantre Farm: July 2008
Run for the Rolls/Watch with the Bagels: August 2008
I am too the Boss of You: anticipated start date of next session is Fall 2008
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Julie asks that we all check the batteries in our smoke alarms
Here are some important facts from the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
- Smoke alarms play a vital role in reducing deaths and injuries from fire and have contributed to the almost 50% decrease in fire deaths since the late 1970s.
- It is estimated that 95% of U.S homes have at least one smoke alarm.
- Sixty-five percent of reported home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
- Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms save lives and protect against injury and loss due to fire.
To learn more about fire prevention visit the NFPA website and check out the Fact Sheets under Research and Reports. |
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Make Fitness a Family Activity
When we as parents make room for exercise in our lives, we not only do something good for ourselves, but we show our children that we value exercise. Below is a list of upcoming races for exercisers of all levels, including a link to website that will jumpstart your efforts.
This summer, we will give any child from the practice who participates in and completes one of the events listed below a special "Moore Pediatrics" t-shirt.
April 26 (Jackson): Family Service and Children's Aid 5K Run/Walk (Jackson Area Race Directors Council)
May 4 (Dexter): Joan C Banfield 5K (Joan C Banfield Foundation)
May 18 (campus of St Joseph Hospital, Ypsilanti): For Women Only 5K Run/Walk (Ann Arbor Track Club)
May 19 (Chelsea): Heart and Sole Fun Run/Walk (Chelsea Community Hospital)
June 14 (Jackson): Rose Run (Jackson Community College )
August 23 (Chelsea): Run for the Rolls 1 Mile Run/Walk
September 6 (Jackson): Foote Race Run 5 Mile/5K Run/Walk (Jackson Area Race Directors Council)
For some on-line help, visit Couch to 5k Running Plan
We hope to see you and your family at one of these events this summer.
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