Not only is story time a comforting and fun way to spend some quality moments with your child, but it also benefits your child in many ways. The Child Literacy Centre declares that "reading to your child is the single most valuable thing you can do." The website lists several reasons why this is the case and cites studies that have shown that preschool children exposed to language through reading and conversation tend to do better in school than those who are not exposed to such things. What's more, reading to your children helps develop their listening skills, increases their attention spans, and (quick, break out the books!) helps them develop the ability to concentrate for long periods of time, as explained by "Little Ones Reading Resource."

MommyPicks Book Tidbit:
Oliver Has Something to Say! was recently selected as one of the best books of the year by TVOKids. Click here to visit "Gisele's Big Backyard" web site and check out the Book Club archives to see Gisele read Oliver's story out loud.
 
Oliver has Something to Say! is available on MommyPicks.com. Check out our Store to find it.

We at MommyPicks are all about sharing parenting duties equally
with dads. Not only does it take some pressure off moms, but it
also yields tons of untold benefits for our precious offspring
(awwwww!). The U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services recently released a paper entitled "A
Call to Commitment: Fathers' Involvement in Children's Learning"
that underscores our thinking (we love when that happens). This
document notes: "When fathers are involved, their children learn
more, perform better in school, and exhibit healthier behavior."

Contrary to what popular culture might want us all to believe
(really, who doesn't cringe at the thought of the Family Guy and
Homer Simpson?), dads play an extremely important role in the lives
of their children.

However, when it comes to parenting and activity books, it seems as
if the focus is all on moms. A recent survey confirmed our
suspicions that dads were being slighted in the resource realm.
Popular polling source Ipsos Reid found that "fifty-eight per cent
of fathers and expectant fathers admit that parenting information
is not easy to find." Never fear, dear readers. MommyPicks has
found "the" paternal pick for the dads in your lives.

"Come on, Dad! 75 Things for Fathers and Sons to Do Together" by Ed
Avis is the perfect gift for dads. This book offers loads of
inspired - and budget-friendly - activities fathers and sons can do
together in the name of bonding. Even the most creative daddies
need a little help sometimes, so when dads are looking for fun ways
to spend time with their kids, this book is will be their go-to
guide.

With its easy-to-follow instructions and handy lists of inexpensive
and easy-to-find materials needed (love that), "Come on, Dad!" will
have dads and kids making homemade instruments, having backyard
campouts, and taking part in super-fun obstacle courses, among lots
of other creative activities.

So, if you're looking for a great gift for dads, come on, Mom, you
don't have to look any further!

MommyPicks Bonus:
Sample activities from "Come on, Dad!": Personal Pizzas, Paper Air
Force, Time Capsule, Take it Apart, Family Story Collection, Old
Man Apples, Math Olympics, Beach Memories, Recycled City, Personal
Place Mats, Shopping Alphabet, A Shave a Day, Twirl Pictures, Leafy
Fun

This must-have resource for dads
has been recommended by dozens of parenting and family magazines,
including Family Magazine, Colorado Parent, Island Parent,
Calgary's Child, Genesee Valley Parent, Family Times, Staten Island
Parent, Charlotte Parent Magazine, and Coulee Parenting Connection.

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