An Interview with Wilbur S. Edwards: Early Parenting Foundation

4.13.10 - Michael F. Shaughnessy - Reading was an outgrowth of the development of stories for young children about values. An audio component is being added, listening to a story while reading along is a valuable way for children to learn to read.

An Interview with Wilbur S. Edwards: Early Parenting Foundation

Michael F. Shaughnessy

Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, New Mexico

    1)      Wilbur, first of all, tell us about your background and educational experiences

I was President of Magna Systems that produced film and DVD’s with printed component at the College/University level on the subject of human development, with special emphasis on Child Development. Prior thereto I was with the Encyclopedia Britannica including the presidency of Compton’s Encyclopedia then owned by Encyclopedia Britannica.

2)      Now, how did you get involved with reading to infants and children?

Reading was an outgrowth of the development of stories for young children about values. An audio component is being added, listening to a story while reading along is a valuable way for children to learn to read.

3)      Why the focus on values?

I became concerned in my retirement years about the dishonesty, deceit, corruption disrespect in our society I wanted to do something about it

4)      Tell us about this Early Parenting Foundation. How did it get started and what are you trying to accomplish?

The first step was to form the Early Parenting Foundation, believing children in their earliest years are influenced as to the kind of life they will lead decided to post stories about values on line for the entire world to have access to.

5)      Do you have a web site and what might we find there?

There’s only one website, myyoungchild.org. It includes a 3 minute video about the rewards of parenting; including quotations about parenting through the years.

6)      What are some of the topics that you address?

Some of the topics covered to date: Honesty, Integrity, Bullying, Responsibility, Respect, Manners, Sharing, the  Spiritual, Happiness

7)      Do you have parenting tips ?

Each story is followed by Parenting tips targeted to specific ethical and social skills - tips that explain to parents at what age children can understand different moral concepts, how to talk to their children about these issues

8)      You work with Holly Bell and Nancy Morgan. Tell us about them and how they contribute.

The lead writer of the stories is Nancy Morgan with whom I had been associated at Magna Systems and had a great appreciation of her talent. The illustrations are by Holly Bell, a good friend of Nancy Morgan who is indeed gifted and has contributed tremendously to this project.

9) What have I neglected to ask?

Myyoungchild.org is being visited around the world. In the month of February alone there were visitors from over seventy countries.