My children love to read. My children love books. My children love to read because I have read to them since they were babies.
We all read every night before the lights are turned out. This simple act of opening a book has become a tradition in our home. My children's bedtime always involves a colorful storybook and a parent happily reading it to them. This is a special time of the day that doesn’t require television or being plugged in. It just involves a loving parent and a little extra time.
We all read every night before the lights are turned out. This simple act of opening a book has become a tradition in our home. My children's bedtime always involves a colorful storybook and a parent happily reading it to them. This is a special time of the day that doesn’t require television or being plugged in. It just involves a loving parent and a little extra time.
When my kids were toddlers, I read to them because I wanted them to learn about new topics. Every story was a new adventure that they had never heard before. Imagine hearing William Steig’s Sylvester and the Magic Pebble for the very first time. Or imagine reading Harry Allard’s Miss Nelson is Missing and figuring out for yourself that Miss Viola Swamp is the teacher that the students so love. These are magical and sweet moments that are marked with a special bonding time for my children and me. Not only does reading get us into a bedtime routine, it is also a time where all children can unwind and relax. This in turn helps to lull them into a restful night’s sleep.
Now that my oldest child is fifteen, he obviously doesn’t want me to read to him anymore. Instead, he quietly reads to himself. And let me tell you, the kid loves to read! I can’t help but think that his voracious apetite for reading is a direct result of all the reading I did with him when he was a toddler. I do still read to my two younger children because they enjoy the one on one experience. In fact, all of my children celebrate reading by collecting books for their own personal bookshelves.
Some people collect bugs or stamps. Not my kids though, we collect books.We have books all over our house. My children have books all over their rooms and we even have books in the bathroom. And for presents, guess what? I give books, because they really do make great gifts. Whether it is a birthday present or a Christmas gift, my children can pretty much assume that I am going to find the perfect book to give them.
Where do we get our books you ask? I buy books anywhere I can find them…including Goodwill. I also get books at school book fairs, local used book stores and then of course, we always visit the LIBRARY!
If you haven't formed the habit of reading to your children, pick up a book tonight and start a great new family tradition. Even if your children are teens, I suggest a reading night where all electronics are turned off. It’s never too late to instill a love for reading with your family. Tonight after supper, pick up a book and expose your child to the sheer enjoyment of a great story. There are many storybooks that I would like to recommend, below are some of our favorites:
I really liked the fact that you read books for your kids, my mom used to do the same for us. I think it a really nice way to help kids love reading. I started reading when I was five thanks to my mother; I'll always be grateful for that. I am sure your kids will feel the same way about you:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by and commenting on my blog! I see some of our favorites here, too!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Stacy