Your Feedback on Sleep, Sex, Toys and Reading

"Some people are so boring that they make you waste an entire day in five minutes." -Jules Renard

YOUR FEEDBACK ON SLEEP, SEX, TOYS AND READING

Here is a representative selection of responses we have received to recent issues of ExchangeEveryDay:

Gail Ripley responded to "Sleep Key to Learning" (June 20, 2003):
"I have worked with children and families in a public school setting, as a child welfare worker, and now as a Family Advocate with Early Head Start for the past twenty-five years.  I have seen a trend beginning about ten years ago in parents letting their children stay up until they go to bed, sometimes to midnight on school nights.  In my opinion, this is the trouble with children not willing to get up to go to school or daycare.

"As for putting the needs of students before extracurricular activities, research shows that children make better grades and have less discipline problems, both in and out of school, when they participate in an extracurricular activity whether it is choir, band, or sports.  A school district, under the correct organization should be able to provide academics as well as extracurricular activities.  It takes a creative superintendent and school board as well as support from the patrons of the school district."

Edna Ranck, Ed.D, responded to "Your Stress Toy Collection" (July 23, 2003):
"I have had a game purchased at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC in the late 1980s (MMA has an entire room for children of all ages.)  I keep it near the door of my office; it is fascinating to see who of my office colleagues will 'stoop' to play with it.  I also have yo-yo's, a Slinky and soft stress balls 'just lying around.' For traveling ECE pros, I recommend the little teddy bears from Symbolz found in all major airports and available online at www.theRGUgroup.com.  Highlight the states and cities that you visit with a bright, cheerful bear with a U.S. flag sewn to its right foot.  And, they are 'safe for children of all ages.'"

Alba DiBello responded to "Promoting Healthy Sexual Development" (August 5, 2003):
"Thank you! I have been saying this for years. It is so important and particularly now. Parents also need information about sexual orientation and need help to educate themselves towards tolerance and beyond of those who are different. Too many young homosexuals are victims of homophobia that was taught either directly or by omission of the reality that it exists. A good beginning—and a good topic for future exploration at a World Forum."

Sydney Gurewitz Clemens responded to "Online Resources On Nutrition and Reading" (July 29, 2003):
"I'm sure there are some children who can benefit from the Starfall program, but I'm equally sure that a mindless program that says bug ih guh and then big isn't going to make children love to read . . . Exchange readers should read to children and love books with them.  While some children may need phonics immersion, the love for reading comes from wanting what's in books, magazines, cereal boxes, etc . . .

"The NAEYC position on reading is very different from the President's . . . and has always supported starting children off by reading to them and then giving them the words most dear to their hearts . . . and having them act out words they've written, so they will see the functional power of reading. Phonics is one tool in the reading teacher's toolbox . . . there are many, and most of them count on the child being intelligent.  Let's never confuse decoding with reading, please."

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