Keeping kids active and engaged helps their brains develop and gets them ready to read. The more stimulation and interaction that a child has with their environment (being read to, talked to, playing) the stronger the connections, or wiring, in the brain become.
 

Finding things to pass even a short wait can be challenging with little ones. Here is a fun, easy activity that takes advantage of your surroundings (wherever you are) and can keep kids occupied and interested.  
 

I Spy....Vocabulary

The classic game that can be played anywhere. Look around the space. Pick and object. "I spy something blue!" Help your child find all the blue things you can by saying, "That's a good guess. It is blue but it's not the thing I was looking for. What else can you find?" Make it more challenging by trying words that aren't colors, like, shiny, smooth, rough, bumpy, made of wood, etc. (This game helps your child learn new words and categories of things. These are important skills!)
 

Activities like this help fill the time and develop your child's brain power. Try them at home, too!

Watch for more "while you wait" activities in upcoming issues.
 

Raising Readers Presents...     

Don't miss the chance to meet the creators of favorite children's books during our "Raising Readers Presents"  series at the children's museums in Bangor, Portland and Augusta.

Upcoming events:

Saturday, 4/28/12, 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM

Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor

Authors John and Ann Hassett present their picture book, TOO MANY FROGS with Dr. Colette Sabbagh of Husson Pediatrics. 

 

Friday, 5/11/12, 5:30 & 6:30 PM
Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor

Illustrator Melissa Sweet presents her picture book, BABY BEAR'S BIG DREAMS with pediatrician Dr. Pat Nobel from the Nobel Clinic.

Saturday, 5/19/12, 2:30 & 3:30 PM
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine in Portland
Author/illustrator Scott Magoon presents his picture book, HUGO & MILES IN: I'VE PAINTED EVERYTHING with pediatrician Dr. Lynne Tetreault from Maine Medical Partners Saco Pediatrics.

Friday, 6/1/12, 6:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine in Portland
Illustrator Scott Nash presents his picture book, THE BUGLIEST BUG with pediatrician Dr. Brian Youth from Maine Medical Partners Westbrook Pediatrics.

FMI on additional events.  

Author Amy MacDonald reading her book, Cousin Ruth's Tooth, at the Portland event earlier this month.

Dr. Chris Pezzullo hosted the event and talked about books and reading.