Tag Archives: social emotional development

New Storybook Helps Fathers Carve Out Reading Ritual With Their Child

When a father takes the time to read to his child, there is a big payoff, studies show. In fact, a 2014 Harvard study indicates that when dads regularly read bedtime stories to young children, it actually has a measurably bigger impact on the youngsters’ language development than when Mom reads.

San Antonio, TX, USA, September 19, 2018 — When a father takes the time to read to his child, there is a big payoff, studies show. In fact, a 2014 Harvard study indicates that when dads regularly read bedtime stories to young children, it actually has a measurably bigger impact on the youngsters’ language development than when Mom reads.

However, through research for a book she was writing, award-winning journalist Margaret Bernstein became aware that the lack of a father figure was being passed down from one generation to the next. Men who grew up without a father in their lives didn’t know how to fulfill their own roles as dads because that behavior had never been modeled for them, she discovered.

“As a writer,” Bernstein explains, “I wanted to do something to help break that cycle. I wanted to write books that inspired dads to read with their children and help them build a bond.”

Bernstein is now releasing a new book for children entitled “Donuts with Dad” to accomplish just that. According to the author, “This is a fun story that any dad and daughter can enjoy, it’s designed to spark lots of conversation and laughter.” The main characters are a dad and a daughter of color who embark on a day of creative adventures together.

This is Bernstein’s second multicultural storybook aimed at dads. “We want children of color to enjoy reading books that reflect what they look like,” she says. “We need diverse books people can relate to.”

She hopes dads and daughters will develop a bedtime ritual of reading “Donuts with Dad” together, because numerous studies show that having an active father figure boosts a child’s academic achievement and fosters healthy social-emotional development. Daughters in particular benefit—the increased confidence from spending more time with Dad has been shown to increase the percentage of women who embark on nontraditional career paths like science. “One of my dreams is to help inspire dads to understand the important role that they play in their children’s lives,” adds Bernstein.

Publisher Lisa M. Umina comments, “This book is not only a fun read but an important one. It is accessible and inviting to readers of any level. Bernstein is celebrating involved fathers and encouraging them to be creative and have fun.”

The book launch event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 at Café Bon Ami in New Orleans—with an assortment of donuts, of course!

For more information about Margaret Bernstein, visit www.halopublishing.com. “Donuts with Dad” is now available at Halo Publishing International, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Books-A-Million in Hardcover for $16.95, in Paperback for $11.95 and as an e-Book for $6.95.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa Michelle Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176,
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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Social-Emotional Learning an Indispensable Component of Childhood Development, Education Professionals Affirm

Special Education professionals, Jessica Tukaj and Amanda Derrick, are working to facilitate positive change within an education system that works on a “one size fits all” model.

San Antonio, TX, USA, June 9, 2018 —Special Education professionals, Jessica Tukaj and Amanda Derrick, are working to facilitate positive change within an education system that works on a “one size fits all” model.

Standardized testing has been on the rise since 2002 when the No Child Left Behind act was passed. But these kinds of standardized tests have been shown to cause extreme stress in younger students, and it has not increased student achievement, with US ranking dropping in math and science according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

“With the continued raising of standards, children are facing more pressure in the school system than arguably ever before. Many children feel they do not fit into this mold and expected time frame. It’s important for students and parents to recognize that all students will develop in their own way and in their own time,” Derrick affirms.

For both Derrick and Tukaj, these conversations about school systems and different educational models date back to when they studied Special Education together at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Now, as professionals working in the field, these concerns are apparent in the workplace and beyond. “We need to look at the whole child including their social-emotional development, which is a big part of what we think is lacking in the school system. There’s so much more to a child than if they can read by the age of five or write cursive by the time they’re in third grade.”

On a personal note, Derrick adds, “We both have unique kids. They are great and amazing children, however we have learned as parents they do things in their own time and in their own way just like so many other children do, and that’s okay.”

To tackle these issues, the two women decided to team-up to create a children’s book that presents a new perspective, teaching children the value of being a unique individual. “There is a lack of knowledge and resources addressing social-emotional development, which is why we decided to create this book,” says Tukaj. “Our goal is to provide tools for parents and teachers to start developing these skills with their children.”

Teaching social-emotional skills as well as science lessons, “These books are not only fun and engaging for children, but they present an essential message to educators and parents alike about the type of messages they need to be instilling in children,” comments publisher Lisa M. Umina.

For more information about Amanda Derrick and Jessica Tukaj visit www.halopublishing.com. “In Time Butterfly” is now available at Halo Publishing International, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Books a Million in Hardcover for $19.95, in Paperback for $13.95, and as an e-Book for $5.00.

* Halo Publishing:
http://www.halopublishing.com/2d-e/amanda-derrick-and-jessica-tukaj.html

* Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612446515/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=halopub-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1612446515&linkId=0f610aa779764dee7fa6755133065545

* Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1128787595;jsessionid=98D6B2B6A1D0E5997E4224B6E1EEAD01.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=9781612446516

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa Michelle Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International, Inc
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176,
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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