Weekly Newsletter 2-16-2024

Dear Lighthouse Families,

When our son was born, the Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s Birthplace had not yet been built, and when you had a baby on island, you were likely the only person in the labor and delivery area for your entire stay. In fact, when our daughter was later born nine days into January, she was Nantucket’s New Year’s baby. Those first days with a newborn were sleepless and the questions were abundant, including How are we going to do this on our own when we leave here?

I have often reflected on those early days and how important the parting words of our maternity nurse was on some of the decisions we made when we brought our first-born child home from the hospital. She was the GOAT of maternity nurses, and we were fortunate enough to have her as ours. As we prepared to leave the hospital, full of nerves and exhaustion, she told us to read to our 3-day-old newborn every day. While I was an educator and imagined that our home would have plenty of books, I didn’t think that any of that would matter for quite some time.

Despite our reservations, we heeded her advice, and I cannot overstate the profound impact it had on our children’s reading lives, not only their acquisition of foundational reading skills but also their absolute love of books which continues into their adult lives. I am reminded of the early advice we received as I am reviewing Whole Child Reports, and there is a similar refrain from our teachers about daily reading.

Does reading every day really make a difference? For so many reasons, it does. Not only is it an opportunity to enjoy a quiet, special time with your child while also sharing a wonderful story together, but as children become emergent and then proficient readers, it is an important opportunity to practice newly acquired skills and cultivate a deep love of wonderful books. Being able to read critically and deeply and knowing how to access and interpret all different genres is a vital life skill.

From the research, and my own experience, there are countless benefits to children reading and/or being read to every day: it builds language skills, knowledge, and vocabulary; it helps children build empathy and work out challenging feelings; it improves focus, concentration, and analytical thinking; it spurs creativity and imagination, and the list goes on. While I know that our students are busy with myriad enriching activities outside of the school day, I encourage you to create time and a quiet space so that reading remains a part of their daily lives. Reading should be a peaceful and pleasant pursuit, not a hurried or stressful one. If you are looking for good books for your student to read or ones that you can read to them, please consult with your child’s teacher, as finding that just-right book, both in terms of level and interest, can be such an important gateway for future reading.

Warm regards,

Emily

Happy, Thoughtful Kids Grown Here

One of the most special things about being a parent at Nantucket Lighthouse School is receiving Whole Child Reports. These comprehensive assessments offer thoughtful insights into our children as individuals, friends, and learners. While Whole Child Reports are well-rounded reflections of our children’s unique strengths and challenges, as parents, it’s natural to focus on the areas in need of improvement. In these moments, I find it helpful to remind myself of the advice I give to students – there is power in the word yet.

If your child is facing a challenge or setback, it is important to maintain a growth mindset or the belief that with dedication and perseverance, improvement is possible. Too often, we think of talents and traits as fixed, which leaves little room for progress. Before reading your child’s report, remind yourself that there will be things your child cannot do…yet. There is power in both acknowledging something is difficult while believing that growth is within reach.

Warmly,

Julia Maury