Archived BabyRead Journal Columns

Seneca, South Carolina

Seneca, South Carolina

BabyRead’s Founder and President, Caren von Hippel, writes monthly newspaper columns for The Journal. See a 6-month compilation of Journal columns at the bottom of this page.

August 2025

“Talking about emotions with young children.” Language and social interactions are key to noticing, expressing, and managing feelings and emotions.

July 2025

“What are fine motor skills? Why are they important in this Digital Age?” Fun activities to support fine motor skills in children’s hands and fingers. These are necessary for everyday activities such as writing, using utensils, buttoning clothes, tying shoelaces, and manipulating small objects.

May 2025

“Why reading print is better for the brain of preschoolers.” Studies show that reading physical books improves comprehension, attention, and brain connectivity.

April 2025

“Creating a nurturing literacy environment at home.” Incorporating simple literacy practices at home can support children in developing strong reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Happy 10th Birthday to BabyRead

BabyRead celebrates 10 year birthday in November, 2024!

January 2025

“Reading to babies promotes mental health in adolescence.” Children who read for pleasure exhibit fewer signs of stress and depression, improved attention, and fewer behavioral problems.

December 2024

“Science for toddlers.” Some activities to do with your toddlers to help them experience the world of science and learn.

November 2024

“Science for babies.” Some ideas for simple experiments and learning about science and nature.

October 2024

“Math for toddlers.” Some simple activities to help children become comfortable with math skills before they get to kindergarten.

August 2024

“Playful environments for infants and toddlers.” Play is a natural way children learn about themselves and their environment. The most important element of playful learning is attentive adults.

July 2024

“Again! Again! Here’s why toddlers love to do things on repeat.” One of the functions of early childhood development is child learning and mastery. This is enhanced through repetition.

May 2024

“The secret power of children’s picture books.” The sight of the illustrations that stay still allow the child to gaze at will and engage his/her deep cognitive networks in the brain.

April 2024

“Playing is essential for children to learn and grow.” Playing helps kids master their emotions and make decisions. It also teaches flexibility, motivation, and confidence.

March 2024

“Nursery Rhymes”. This language activity with your child is extremely important in bonding, social development and brain development.

January 2024

“Pre-literacy skills as a path to learning to read.” Several suggestions for getting babies and toddlers ready to be readers.

December 2023

“Get face-to-face with your infant for language development.” Discusses importance of face-to-face interactions with babies. Solicits end of year contributions to BabyRead.

November 2023

“Screen time linked with developmental delays in childhood.” Discusses how excessive screen time can affect child development.

October 2023

“The surprising power of family meals.” Talks about the importance of family mealtimes. Provides tips for STEM and other related topics during mealtimes.

September 2023

“Tips to keep kids safe when temperatures soar.” Provides tips for keeping children cool in hot weather.

August 2023

“STEM-themed books for babies and toddlers.” Provides an introduction to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) books.

July 2023

“Why we teach babies animal sounds.” Provides insights into why animal sounds are vital to verbalization.

June 2023

“Why outdoor play will make your kids better people, Part 2.” Provides additional rationale for outdoor time.

May 2023

““7 reasons why more outdoor time will make your kids better people, Part 1.” Provides rationale for encouraging outdoor time.

April 2023

“Brain building through play: Games to play with babies (12 months).” Provides six games to play with 1-year-olds.

February 2023

“Brain building through play with 9-month-olds.” Provides five interactive games for 9-month-old babies.

January 2023

“Brain building through pay with 6-month-olds.” Provides six interactive games for 6-month-old babies.

 
 

Annual Compilation of Journal Columns

2023 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2023 Journal columns with table of contents (July to December)

2023 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2023 Journal columns with table of contents (January to June)

2022 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2022 Journal columns with table of contents (January to June)

 
2021 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2021 Journal columns with table of contents (July to December)

 
2021 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2021 Journal columns with table of contents (January to June)

 
2020 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2020 Journal columns with table of contents

 
2019 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2019 Journal columns with table of contents (January to June)

 
2019 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2019 Journal columns with table of contents (July to December)

 
2018 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2018 Journal columns with table of contents (January to June)

 
2018 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2018 Journal columns with table of contents (July to December)

 
2017 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2017 Journal columns with table of contents (February to June)

 
2017 Journal Columns

Compilation of 2017 Journal columns with table of contents (July to December)

Journal Column Index

 Provides a listing of Journal columns by categories through January 2022