Picture books, such as 2011 Caldecott Medal winner "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" can help children understand important values.

As mentioned in a previous post here at In the Stax, many parents are pushing their children to read chapter books at very early ages, in order to achieve an academic edge. So, if your first grader still enjoys reading picture books, does that mean she is falling behind? “Kids are in nursery school, and their parents are already worried about getting them into college,” says philosophy professor Thomas Wartenberg in an interview with The Seattle Times. “I understand the problem.” But, if your child’s teacher confirms she is reading at grade level, Wartenberg doesn’t think her preference for picture books is cause for concern. The professor, who teaches at Mount Holyoke College and has written Big Ideas for Little Kids: Teaching Philosophy Through Children’s Literature (Rowman and Littlefield Education, 164pgs) believes picture books can be great educational tools. Read more…