Lovely Lollapalooza Books

Reading with Papa.

Your child will want to read if you read to him,  if you read in front of him, and if you read with him.  Fill your child's world with books in an easy and gradual way. Do you read the paper, magazines, poetry or novels?  Do you have a bookcase in the house? Remember one important rule of parenting which always stands true: Your child is following your lead. 

If you make books readily available and give them the value they deserve your child will want to naturally open a book, because it is what he sees you do. If it is part of your lifestyle - not a chore that is associated with something we have to do, chances are you will raise a child who enjoys reading. The feel of the pages, the smell of the paper, the magic within is all part of the experience.  Books are a lovely and viscerally exciting thing if we treat them as if they are a lovely and wonderfully exciting thing. Inside every book is a new and different world to explore. 

Think of it as a very low cost high return investment in your child's development, both intellectually and mentally.  And when your child enters school he will probably be more enthused about books and learning because he will have already connected to them in a very positive way beginning at home. 

And books are a great way to get some of that crucial parent and child lap time. A friend of mine whose four children are grown now says if he could give sound parent advice it would be to get lots of lap time with your child. And story time is a great way to do that!

Books also allow us to slow down and relax together. If you have a fidgety child, start out slowly by looking at the pictures together first. and let that be enough. Always make room for a little dialogue to happen if your child wants to talk about the pictures or the story.  You can work up to reading some of the key words when you pick up the book another time and then the next time try adding in the sentences. Keep it light, keep it fun. Be patient and don't feel every page has to be read every time. Eventually your child will want you  to read every word when your child is ready.

The other night my daughter and her husband tucked my 3-year-old grandson into bed.

"Do you want two stories or five poems tonight?" Asked his Dad.

"All of them!" Replied Robert. 

I believe he said this because they have been reading to him since he was a baby and my daughter tells me that even her husband is getting into it - having bought two novels for himself recently.

After they finished reading "Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" by Sherri Duskey Rinker they said goodnight after their usual ritual of stories picked out by Robert himself. His bookcase is right next to his bed where he can easily reach down to get a book. A gift all the way around for everyone.

They turned out the light and went out to watch The Office, a sitcom on TV they both love. During the show they could hear Robert in his room talking quietly,  something he often does before he falls asleep.

After the show was over they went in to check on him. Next to his bed was a stack of books in the glow of the night light. 

"Fifteen books, Mom," my daughter said.

And he had fallen asleep with a book in his hands.

This child loves books - he loves his toy tractors and sledding and Legos, but he always comes back to his stories riding in his car seat, at nap time, and at the end of the day at bedtime. In a way, those books provide a wonderful lovely safe structure he can always return to whenever he wants. 

It takes a little more patience for parents on the front end but in the long run you will feel so good that you took the extra time to read with your child. Before you know it you'll be reading your own books together snuggled up on the couch and that is the best feeling of all!

Good luck!! Good Parenting!! Thanks for reading and please pass it on!

Bon

Encourage reading

Robert loves this little book. 

While we were reading the paper this morning our 1-year-old grandson sat happily reading his books.


The beginning seeds for reading are planted when a child imitates a parent, a care giver, or older children who also enjoy reading.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8vy912Ykeg

Whether you read magazines, novels, or non-fiction, it doesn't matter, your actions speak louder than words do. Have plenty of books on hand for your children and grand children to enjoy as well.

When we read we use our imaginations and actively use our brains.

Good Luck! Good Parenting!!

Reading is fun.

Bon :)