I couldn’t shake the feeling - it was time to chase a dream.

After two gruelling (but successful!) years of treatment, I found myself in remission and at a crossroads. I had spent nearly 30 years as a children’s librarian at Princeton Public Library, a job I loved, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was time to chase a dream. I asked myself what was the one thing I wanted to accomplish in the 2nd season of life since I had been given a second chance.

I answered the question and here’s the story.

Thanks for watching!

[Don’t want to watch (it’s more fun!) then read the very short transcript]

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Twinkle Little Star. How I wonder what you are.

🗣️ When we talk, read, and sing to our babies, we are setting them on a path to success.

🗣️ To help parents and caregivers reach *30,000 words [daily] I developed the baby wordplay program in its first location, the Little Theatre, here in Southwest Philadelphia.

So nice to see you, hello Holden. So nice to see you. Hello, Holden!

🗣️ Little Theatre is a place where families come together to play with words and language, stories, sing, play with your fingers, your toes.

Nine little fingers, one more makes ten.

🗣️ It’s about really trying to help and encourage and model how to talk to your children all day so that you do reach 30,000 words by the end of the day.

🗣️ It’s not as daunting as it might sound.

🗣️ And even

🗣️ More than not daunting, it’s fun!

*There was much professional talk about the 30 million word gap (based on just one study) and that children needed to hear about 30,000 words daily to develop the language skills necessary to succeed in school and everyday life.

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