Early Parenting Foundation
Barrington, IL
MyYoungChild.org
 

Kids Build Values Through Online Reading With Parents 

MyYoungChild.org, a parenting resource with free online stories that teach values and social skills to children 3-7, has improved and relaunched its website.
 
"Our stories give parents and teachers the tools to discuss values that are so needed in our society today — honesty, integrity, fairness and civility," says Wilbur S. Edwards, President of the Early Parenting Foundation and a retired media educator.  With titles such as Gilbert the Goat Learns Respect, Silly Lilly Remembers Her Manners, and Rosa the Rabbit Learns to Be Fair, the beautifully illustrated stories are designed to be read by parents to their children or heard through the site's Read-Along feature.
 
The site has increased in popularity since first launched in 2007. Now the free online stories, written by Nancy Battista Morgan, have a worldwide audience in 70+ countries.  In addition to the stories, illustrated by Holly Bell, the website features parenting tips, discussion questions and activities, Twitters, Blogs, Boards and Visitor Polls for interactivity and exchanging ideas, and links to resources for parents and educators.
 
Edwards points to the traditions of Aesop's Fables and the moral messages of McGuffey's Reader.  Every "story has a purpose," he says, "Our goal is to help children make good choices and lead more satisfying lives."  The stories can be seen and heard online at MyYoungChild.org on laptops, desktops and select tablets around the world.
 
Ms. Morgan adds that the stories and the parenting tips are age-appropriate. “We do our homework too," Nancy says.  "The stories are not much longer than a minute. They encourage reading, learning English and, at the same time, they teach children how to make good choices."
 
My Young Child is a non-profit site developed by the Early Parenting Foundation.  Wilbur S. Edwards felt strongly that certain values were lacking in our society.  He recruited Nancy Morgan, an educational consultant, and Holly Bell, a preschool teacher/illustrator, to create the online stories. 
 
For information, visit MyYoungChild.org or contact Nancy Morgan of the Early Parenting Foundation at nmorgan@myyoungchild.org