Latest news with #MotherGoose
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘It's so boring': Gen Z parents don't like reading to their kids - and educators are worried
Last week, former elementary school teacher Spencer Russell posed a question to parents who follow his Instagram account, Toddlers Can Read: 'Why aren't you reading aloud to your kids?' The responses, which Russell shared with the Guardian, ranged from embarrassed to annoyed to angry. 'It's so boring,' said one parent. 'I don't have time,' said another. One mother wrote in: 'I don't enjoy reading myself.' Others reported difficulty getting their children to sit still long enough for a full dose of Goodnight Moon or Mother Goose: 'He's always interrupting,' or 'my son just wants to skip all the pages.' They noted the monotony of story time, with one saying: 'I love reading with my kids, but they request the same book over and over.' Screen time is replacing one-on-one, quality interactions between parent and child Spencer Russell Parents who struggle to read to their children tend to be younger themselves, according to a recent survey from HarperCollins UK. Fewer than half of gen Z parents called reading to their children 'fun for me', and almost one in three saw reading as 'more of a subject to learn' than something to be enjoyed – significantly more than their gen X counterparts. This mindset undoubtedly trickles down to their kids: the survey also found that only a third of five-to-10 year olds frequently read for fun, compared to over half in 2012. This could be because their parents are less likely to read to them before they turn five: 41% of parents of all ages reported doing so, a steep drop from the 64% in 2012. If parents are reading out loud to their children less, US educators can tell. Russell, who offers courses to teach literacy skills to kids as young as 18 months, regularly gets inquiries from parents of older children – some as old as 14 – who still struggle to crack open a book. There are other tell-tale signs. 'We see children who can sit still and focus for hours on YouTube or Miss Rachel, but when you sit them down with a book, they move, wiggle, or scream and run away,' said Russell, who lives in Houston. Gen Z parents inherited an economy racked by inequity and instability that makes child rearing all the more stressful. The cost of childcare in the US – roughly $11,000 a year on average – has skyrocketed since the 90s. It's no wonder they might be too tired or stressed to read to their kids at night, even if they realize it's important to do so. At the same time, screens are inescapable – notably, gen Z parents were the first generation to grow up with them. 'I don't think we can divorce the role of technology influencing gen Z parents and their kids with the decline in reading out loud,' Russell said. 'Screen time is replacing one-on-one, quality interactions between parent and child.' One of the most helpful ways to read books is by having a conversation with children about what they're interested in Dawna Duff Loads of evidence shows that excessive screen time can harm a child's cognitive, linguistic and social-emotional growth, and doctors recommend that parents limit 'non-educational screen time' for children ages two to five to about one hour per weekday, and three on the weekends. But you try getting a toddler to settle into story time without giving in to her demands to watch Bluey. Most parents see the iPad as a necessary evil. America's so-called 'literacy crises' is well-documented; an Atlantic report from last fall found that many elite college students fail to complete English assignments, as they never had to read a full book in high school. The pandemic wreaked havoc on students' performance in both math and reading, with scores in both subjects dropping to the lowest margin in over 30 years. On TikTok, teachers have taken to posting PSAs urging parents to read to their children with the caption: 'I bet you I can't tell who was breast-fed vs formula-fed, but I can tell you who has grown ups that read to them every night.' Kids who don't get a head start reading at home often have trouble catching up to those who do, says Dawna Duff, an associate professor of speech language pathology at Suny's Binghamton University. 'Books are a really rich source of learning new words, and if kids don't have that experience reading at home, they're likely to come to school knowing less vocabulary – and that makes a big difference in how successful you're going to be throughout school,' she said. But kids don't just learn to read at school. Becky Calzada, president of the American Association of School Librarians, stresses the importance of parents as 'reading role models'. Reading out loud to children not only helps them learn vocabulary, but it builds emotional intelligence, such as the ability to empathize and connect, Caldaza says. According to the HarperCollins report, more than one in five boys aged zero to two are rarely or never read to, while 44% of girls in that age group are read to every day. This comes as boys continue to fall behind girls in school – they are more likely to enter kindergarten behind girls, earn lower GPAs and not graduate high school. Russell acknowledges that books are 'never going to compete with YouTube', and that the pressures of parenthood in 2025 are immense. As one parent told him: 'I just don't have the energy to read to my kid. Me and my wife don't 'have a village', so it's hard to rest.' But there are ways to wean kids away from their phones. 'Just scale it back a little, as much as you can at first.' Related: She compared motherhood in four countries. The US isn't looking good Calzada encourages parents who don't like reading to their children to start slowly. 'You don't have to sit there for 20 minutes to an hour,' she said. 'A two-year-old doesn't have much reading stamina, but you can read them something that has maybe five pages, that's mostly 'the cow says moo, the pink says oink,' and you gradually build up from there.' Nor should parents give up if their children aren't paying full attention during story time. According to Duff, 'you shouldn't feel like you need to read every word on the page, or even any words on the page.' Talking about the book's pictures, or asking kids to tell the story in their own words counts, too. 'We know one of the most helpful ways to read books is by having a conversation with children about what they're interested in,' she added. 'Follow their lead.'
Chicago Tribune
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Of Notoriety: Children's stage show in Munster inspired by bedtime Mother Goose tales
The young minds of children are as impressionable as a mound of clay. Growing up in the farm cornfields of Starke County in the 1970s, our television channels from our TV tower antennae were limited to about 13 total, including PBS and UHF offerings. Reading was the favorite escape of me and my four older siblings, with comic books to passed along novels and young adult fiction works filling our bedrooms and basement bookshelves. Most of all, as mentioned previously, we had our trusted set of 1954 World Book Encyclopedias. As a bonus from the salesman, the encyclopedias came with a set of 1954 Childcraft bound volumes to inspire the imagination with history, culture, nature facts, crafts and hobbies and most of all, nursery rhymes and fairy tales, the latter of which I grew up with Mom, aunts and older siblings reading to me for story time and bedtime. It was these beautifully illustrated and descriptive pages that inspired me to pen a new children's play to bring favorite characters to life with new and old wisdom to guide both young and older minds in this rapidly evolving world surrounding all of us. Theatre at the Center at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster is presenting this week's world stage premiere of 'Modern Mother Goose,' with performances through Saturday, May 24, giving new life to my favorite storybook and nursery rhyme characters along with timeless learning lessons for audiences of all ages. This week, schools from throughout Porter and Lake counties have made the end-of-school-year pilgrimage to come and see the show. I set 'Modern Mother Goose' in Storybook Land with Pierogi Fest favorite Carolyn 'Buscia' Kruszynski stepping into the narrator role as 'Mother Goose,' guiding guests through familiar bedtime stories and fairytales, each presented with a new twist to fit into today's topsy-turvy, fast-paced world. Kruszynski is reunited on stage with Whiting's Pierogi Fest perennial mascot 'Mr. Pierogi' Tony Panek playing Little Boy Blue opposite WJOB 1230 AM radio personalities cast as silly storybook alter egos, including Region Bandstand DJ Dave Innes as The Giant and sports broadcaster Rob Aguirre as The Prince. Joining the fun are Catherine Dilworth as Little Miss Muffet, Caleb Perez as The Cow and Cara Schmitt as Sleepy Princess Prudence. In addition to writing and directing the production, I'm also featured as a stage cameo playing Humpty Dumpty and providing the vocals for the puppet character of the menacing spider. The play runs 55 minutes and showcases a full set and scenery design to transport families and young audiences to a fantasy world where a giant worries about his height, Miss Muffet longs for the latest breakfast cereal brand and kingdom royalty learns it's more important to rule with fairness rather than flaunt the latest 'apple' watch. Tickets are $10 for adults and children and are available online at or call 219-836-3255. Performances are this week each weekday morning at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. and one final 10 a.m. Saturday weekend performance. In May 2023, Theatre at the Center returned to presenting Theatre for Young Audiences with the original runs of 'Not Your Grandma's Little Red Riding Hood' followed by the holiday show 'The Year Santa Went on a Diet,' the latter which also starred 'Modern Mother Goose' castmates Kruszynski, Innes, Schmitt and Aguirre. Schmitt, who played the title character of Red Riding Hood during the May 2023 play parody run, reads storybooks to her twins at bedtime, especially the 'Harry Potter' series, and said she enjoys the contrast of blending tradition with the silly, fun parody references woven throughout this new play to appeal to both adults and children. 'Every audience is very different,' Schmitt said. 'Both adults and kids can relate to the references from today's use of artificial intelligence to the new pope's favorite region pizza restaurant and the prince being proud of his new six-horse powered ride.' What I've found the most surprising since the performances began on Monday is the sad factor that so many of today's young minds have never heard of Mother Goose or most of these classic storybook tales and nursery rhymes. However, just as what is emphasized in this new play 'Modern Mother Goose,' what was once old can be revisited, reintroduced and cherished anew by minds eager to be engaged.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Happy Mother's Day—These 100 Mother's Day Messages Will Melt Your Mama's Heart
Celebrating your mom with special Mother's Day messages can make her day feel that much more extra special. We might not often have the time to express our emotions for them, but on Mother's Day, we can take some time from our busy lives to say thank you to our mothers. Whether you need a special message for a card, Facebook post or text message to your mom, you'll find plenty of Happy Mother's Day wishes you can use to truly celebrate your mother and thank her for being your number one fan. You can even use these wishes for your grandmother, aunt or even your mother-in-law to wish them a joyous Mother's make sure to tell Mom—this Sunday, May 11, 2025—how you truly feel with any of these Mother's Day messages. These heartfelt and sweet messages will make her heart soar with love and gratitude!Related: 1. I'm glad that you're my mother because I'm not sure anyone else could have put up with me this long! Love you, Mom.2. Your smile brightens each day and makes it better than the last. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!3. I feel so lucky to have you as my mom. Thanks for always believing in me and doing so much for me each day. Have a great Mother's Day, you deserve to be spoiled!4. It's my time to tell you how fortunate and special I am to be blessed with a mother as caring, loving as you. Wish you a happy Mother's Day, Mom!5. Mom, thank you for being my anchor in this stormy sea of life. I love you and don't know where I'd be without you. Have a great day today. Related: 6. Mother Goose, Ma Barker, Mother Theresa—of all the mothers that ever lived, you're the 'Motheriest.' Have a great Mother's Day!7. Happy Mother's Day to my very own superhero and the No. 1 problem-solver in my life. I hope you have a great day!8. In your arms, you held us. Little did we know but you have given us the greatest treasure that will never fade in our hearts and that's your love. 9. Thanks for everything, Mom; you really are one in a million! Love you! 10. Thanks for always helping me to remember what is important in life… and today it is you! You are the best!11. Mom, you are the most outstanding woman in my life, and you'll always be my number one. Have a very happy Mother's Day!12. In my life, I haven't met a lady as elegant, beautiful, and lovely as you. I love you lots, Mommy! Related: 13. Thank you for always being there, Mom. Happy Mother's Day! 14. There's never been a minute I wasn't glad you were my Mom. 15. Happy Mother's Day Mom! Although we're far apart you are always in my heart. I love you and miss you more than words can say. 16. Best friends and the best mother ever; you are seriously a gift to me! I love you. Happy Mother's Day! 17. Growing up I don't think I realized just how much you did to keep our day-to-day life running so smoothly. Now that I'm grown up, I am in awe of everything you did for us, and I admire you all the more. Thank you for making my childhood such a special one! I love you, Mom! 18. Thanks for bringing me into this world and always seeing the best in me. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Related: 19. Mom, I honestly don't know how I'd get through each day without you by my side. Thank you for being such a supportive mother to me, and a fantastic grandmother to my children. We all love you so much! Happy Mother's Day! 20. To the person who has done more for me than anyone in this world! Love you, Mama! 21. Thanks for being an incredible mother and role model to me during my childhood. I am so thankful to have your support and guidance as I navigate through life. Happy Mother's Day! 22. I got all my good qualities from you, Mom! Isn't it lucky you had more than enough for both of us? 23. Thank you Mom for showing me how to be the best version of myself. I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me. I am so thankful for everything you've done for me. 24. You gave me the gift of life so our gifts to you pale in comparison. Happy Mother's Day! Related: 25. Thank you for being a source of strength, guidance, happiness, and inspiration to our family every day. Our world is a brighter place with you in it! Happy Mother's Day, my love! 26. A mother's work is never done – but today, you deserve a rest. In fact, take the rest of the week off! Happy Mother's Day! 27. Thank you for making us feel so loved and cared for every single day. For today at least, I hope I can do the same for you! 28. You always put our needs first with tender love. Happy Mother's Day! 29. Happy Mother's Day Mom! Thank you for looking after us so well, I know it's not always easy! I love you! 30. I feel so proud to have you as my mother. Happy Mother's Day! Related: 31. Thanks for giving me the best things in life: Your love, your care, and especially your cooking. Happy Mother's Day! I love you very much. Related: 32. Best Mother's Day Wishes for today and always. 33. Happy Mother's Day to the best mom ever. I love you to the moon and back again! 34. When I think back on the sacrifices you made, you deserve a Mother's Year! 35. To the most amazing mom in the entire universe, Happy Mother's Day. I love you to the moon and back! 36. Every night, I thank my lucky stars that you're my Mom. Happy Mother's Day! 37. Happy Mother's Day to the greatest mom! We don't say it enough, but we really appreciate all that you do for us every day. You are truly the glue that holds our family together! 38. Wishing you a first-class Mother's Day – you deserve it. Related: 39. May your Mother's Day be filled with as much happiness as you brought to my childhood. I love you! 40. We've shared so many things, but I don't share with you enough how much I love you! Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! 41. May all the love you gave to us come back to you a hundredfold on this special day! 42. Any woman can be a mother, but it takes someone special to be called 'Mom.' Mom, you're the best! Happy Mother's Day. 43. Wishing you all the love and happiness you so richly deserve. I hope you have a very happy Mother's Day! Love you, Mom. 44. You mean the world to me. With love always. 45. To the best mom in the world, Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for being chief cook, counselor, Uber driver, cheerleader, and best all-around mom in the world. 46. I would have made you breakfast in bed if you'd taught me how to cook. I love you! Happy Mother's Day. 47. Because of you, I am me. Happy Mother's Day! 48. I love how we don't even have to say out loud that I'm your favorite child. 49. Wishing you a fabulous Mother's Day! You're the best mom I could have asked for. Love you, Mama! Related: 50. Thanks for bringing me up into a world where love can be expressed electronically. 51. Wishing you a very special Mother's Day. Thank you for always being there for me! I love you. 52. Mom, on this Mother's Day I want to apologize for everything I did growing up. 53. Happy Mother's Day to you Mom, and thank you for everything you do for our family. We'd be so lost without you. You're the best! 54. They say that as you grow older, you turn more and more into the type of person your parents are. Thank God you're so AWESOME! I love you, happy Mother's Day. 55. Happy Mother's Day to Super Mommy—we are so lucky to have you! Thanks for all you do! 56. It's that time of year again and you're still my mother. You'd think you'd have been promoted by now. Happy Mother's Day! Related: 57. Happy Mother's Day Mom! I feel so blessed to have you as my mom. Thanks for always believing in me and doing so much for me. I love you! 58. Mom, you know you're more than welcome to come over to my place for dinner, but there's one little the food I have needs to be cooked. Happy Mother's Day! 59. Happy Mother's Day to the most amazing mommy. Thanks for all the diaper changes, meal times (even when I threw my food on the floor), and putting up with temper tantrums. You really are amazing! 60. To the #1 mom in the world! 61. Mommy, thank you for looking after us so well and making every day so much fun. Have a very happy Mother's Day! 62. I am so grateful and blessed to have a mom as wonderful as you! Happy Mother's Day! 63. We hope you have an amazing Mother's Day, Mom. We hope that you feel truly appreciated on your special day. Related: 64. Can't wait to share a glass of wine together—until then, Happy Mother's Day! 65. Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you! Happy Mother's Day to the sweetest mother in the world, we love you! 66. You deserve the very best! Happy Mom's Day! 67. Only a mother as perfect as you... could have a child as perfect as me. Happy Mother's Day! 68. I'm still your little girl in so many ways – and for that, I'm thankful! Happy Mother's Day! 69. Happy Mother's Day to a woman who deserves a medal... for putting up with me all these years! 70. I am honored to be your son. 71. Thanks for letting me be a parasite in your body for 9 months... Followed by another 18 years as a parasite outside your body. 72. I want to thank you, Mother, for your patience, your encouragement, your strength, your generosity, your unswerving love, and for those three little words that helped me through so many trying times-- 'Because I said so.' Happy Mother's Day! 73. Mother (n). One person who does the work of twenty. For free. See also: Saint, Wonder Woman. 74. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect mother. Related: 75. Grandma... you're the best! Thanks for all the fun and laughter, I love you so dearly! 76. Lots of love to my favorite person in the world. Happy Mother's Day! 77. Happy Mother's Day to the sweetest mother-in-law in the universe! I'm so lucky that when I married your child I got you as another Mom! Have a great day today, you deserve it! 78. On Mother's Day, your children are supposed to cater to your every whim- Sort of goes against the natural order of things, doesn't it? 79. This is the beginning of a new, exciting journey through motherhood. Enjoy your very first Mother's Day! 80. Thanks for being there when I need you the most and even when I didn't. I love you. Have a happy Mother's Day! 81. Happy Mother's Day Grandma! Thanks for always believing in me and cheering me on. I love you! 82. You are more than just a mom to me! You're my best friend. I love you so very much, Mama! 83. To the rest of the world you may be just my mother-in-law, but deep down in my heart, you are a rock of support during all the troubles of life. I am so grateful for you and the support you give to me. I hope you have a wonderful day today and know how much you are loved! Happy Mother's Day! 84. There aren't enough words in any language to express how much I love you. Happy Mother's Day, Mama! 85. You've always been an angel to me, even when I was a little devil to you. Happy Mom's Day! 86. To my mother, who never sends me out into the cruel world without first wrapping me up in the warmth of her love. I love you, Mom! 87. You were the glue that kept our family together and the spark that made my childhood so much fun. Happy Mother's Day! 88. We've had our differences, but I've never doubted your love. Thank you for all the sacrifices and hard work over the years. I love you! 89. I really won the 'Mom Lotto' with you. Happy Mother's Day to a lady who's one in a million! 90. Happy Mother's Day to the most loving, dedicated, and patient mother in the whole world! I love you, Mommy. 91. I hope I can be half the mother to my children that you were to me. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! 92. I never knew how hard it was to be a mom because you made it look so easy! 93. Mom, thanks for setting a great example of what it means to be a woman, a mother, and a good person. 94. I might not be your 'little man' anymore, but you still have all my love. Happy Mother's Day! Related: 95. 'God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.' - Rudyard Kipling 96. Your strength and love have guided me. Happy Mother's Day! 97. Sorry if I drove you crazy. I only did it because I love you! Happy Mother's Day, Mama. 98. Mother's Day is every day when you have a gift of a child like me! Love you, Mom. 99. Happy Mother's Day! We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. Literally. 100. Happy Mother's Day, and thank you for your service. We salute you! Up Next:60 65
Leader Live
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Theatr Clwyd: Phylip Harries returns as panto dame
Phylip, a firm favourite with audiences, will be taking the role of Dame in Cinderella (22 Nov - 17 Jan) at the newly redeveloped Theatr Clwyd in Mold. Mother Goose (Image: Andrew AB) Phylip Harries was nominated as Best Dame at this year's UK Panto Awards for his outstanding performance in 2024's Mother Goose, which received an impressive six nominations. Sleeping Beauty (Image: Andrew AB) His energy and charm winning the hearts of audiences young and old, and confirming him as a true star of the panto world. Phylip Harries expressed his excitement about returning to Theatr Clwyd, saying: "Hiya! I am thrilled to be returning to my second home once again this Christmas. "I can barely contain my excitement at the prospect of playing Dame in the new fully opened, all bells and whistles, Theatr Clwyd. MOST READ "I've never played Dame in Cinderella before, and I can't wait to bring a fresh twist to this classic tale. Cinderella at Theatr Clwyd promises to be a fun-filled, high-energy production that will have audiences singing and dancing in their seats. With Phylip Harries leading the cast, this year's show is sure to be a hit with panto fans of all ages.
CBC
13-02-2025
- Science
- CBC
Meet the 'Mother Goose' astronaut – and her 12 goslings
Long before NASA astronaut Jessica Meir took flight, she was helping her baby geese do the same. A modern-day "Mother Goose," this is the story of how Meir went from raising her own gaggle of goslings to taking their feathers up to the International Space Station.
