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Contact: Patricia M. Mikelson NEW MAGAZINE GIVES PRESCHOOLERS A HEALTHY START ON LEARNING
According to Reach Out and Read, a national non-profit that promotes early literacy, exposure to books and reading in the first years of life increases the probability of healthy child development and decreases the chance of school failure. Realizing they could serve parents and children seeking a good start on the road to learning, the same people who brought us Highlights for Children decided it was time to create a magazine just for preschoolers and their parents. Highlights High Five, which is based on sound educational principles and widely accepted child-development theories, addresses not only literacy skills, but also social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The magazine is filled with read-aloud stories, activities, and bright illustrations. "Highlights High Five is designed to be used in any early-childhood setting, but especially in the home with parents, a child's first and most important teachers," says editor Christine French Clark. Each issue of the magazine will contain stories and poems designed to develop pre-reading skills; puzzles and games, like "My First Hidden Pictures," that help develop cognitive skills; ideas for fun, physical activities; a Spanish lesson; and a special tear-out section that contains an activity parents can do with their children. The tear-out in the premiere issue features 12 finger-puppet characters parents can cut out and tape together, then use to accompany a story called "Animal Talk," in which little ones learn the sounds animals make. "These early years when learning and fun go hand in hand are so important. We hope that our monthly mix of read-aloud stories and poems and age-appropriate puzzles and activities will help adults set young children gently but firmly on the path toward becoming lifelong learners," adds Clark. The first issue of Highlights High Five will start showing up on newsstands and in subscribers' mailboxes in early December. If you'd like to view a sample of the material you'll find in Highlights High Five, log on to www.Highlights.com. You can subscribe for a one-year subscription, which costs just $2.47 per issue, on the Web site or by calling 800-472-7038. # # # Highlights for Children, Inc. (www.Highlights.com) has focused on helping children become their best selves for generations. Highlights magazine celebrated the printing and delivery of the one-billionth copy of the magazine and its 60th anniversary through summer 2006. Highlights High Five™, devoted to pre- and emerging readers (ages two to six) will publish in January 2007. On the Web, www.HighlightsKids.com offers children interactive content related to each issue of the magazine, as well as independent activities such as "Click-and-Play Hidden Pictures®," e-cards, games, craft activities, "Mystery Messages," jokes, and riddles. Devoted to "Fun with a Purpose®," Highlights for Children also offers children, parents, grandparents, and educators a broad range of products including the Highlights for Children Book Clubs (Puzzlemania®, Mathmania®, Which Way USA?®, Top Secret Adventures™, and Hidden Pictures Playground®). Highlights Toy Catalog (www.Highlights.com) selects quality toys, games, craft activities, puzzles, and other products that children will love and parents can trust. Corporate offices are in Columbus, Ohio, and the editorial offices are in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. For more information or to arrange an interview with a Highlights for Children spokesperson, please contact Patricia M. Mikelson, Highlights Corporate Communications at pmmikelson@highlights-corp.com or 614-324-7003. |
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