September is Literacy Month

By Patricia Ragin, WNED / WBFO Education & Outreach

Clifford The Big Red Dog, designed for children ages 3-7, is the animated television series based on the books of the same name and uses classic storytelling to present universal social, emotional, and moral messages to young children. These fun-filled episodes follow Clifford and his pals as they play, discover and interact with each other and the inhabitants of Birdwell Island, learning that good friends are what life is all about. The stories are fun, gentle and kid-relatable — they deal with issues that kids are experiencing: whether it's bragging, not wanting to share or learning that telling the truth is the best policy. More importantly, though, they learn that the world is out there to be discovered with gusto.

Thank you, teachers!

By Beth Fronckowiak, WNED/ThinkBright manager of learning/technology

How often do you speak to your child’s teacher? How often do you thank them for their work? Tuesday, May 7 is National Teacher Day. Please take this opportunity to think about everything your children’s teachers do for them every day. Your child spends most of their waking hours in school. It’s really like a second home. A teacher’s job goes beyond academics and test preparation. Your children are also learning social and emotional skills from their teachers. Who should they go to for help when being bullied? Their teacher. Who can show them how they should respond when an administrator says “Good Morning?” Their teacher. Who frequently gives guidance in developing and maintaining friendships? Their teacher. Who disciplines them when they step out of line (maybe literally!)? Their teacher. Of course, much of this is learned from parents, but teachers are really a valuable support that many people don’t think about. Teachers provide much more than test preparation. What can you give your children’s teachers? A simple, heart-felt thank you goes a long way.

Calling All Bookworms

By Beth Fronckowiak, WNED/ThinkBright manager of learning/technology

In honor of National Children’s Book Day on April 2, each member of the education department was asked to recommend a special book to share. We hope you enjoy these books with your children, grandchildren, family and friends as much as we do!