Many of us believe that reading holds the key to learning, skills, and enjoyment. Yet, reading is not a favorite pastime for many people. I love to read. I learned young and was blessed with a teacher that read aloud to our class daily and a mother who also loved to read and read aloud to me as a youngster. Together they gave me a taste for a world beyond what I could see, hear and taste. They gave me a key to learning whatever I wanted to pursue.
~ Read to them from the time they are tiny. If they're older, start now! It's not too late to start!
~ Let them see you enjoying books— both fiction and nonfiction.
~ Read books to them that are above their reading level.
~ Read from real books not just electronic devices. Let them enjoy the feel of the paper.
~ Listen to audio books—especially in the car.
~ Listen to them read aloud to you.
~ Make rainy days special! Hot homemade cocoa or icy milk, a plate of cookies, and a good book!
Be blessed!
Laura
Happy at Home
Momma to Four
Voracious Homeschooled Readers
This post was featured at Pageant Wagon Publishing.
*Photo Credit Pixabay
I do agree with you Laura. My mother read to me from as early as I can remember, not just nursery stories, but Hiawatha and The Lady of Shalott, wonderful poetry. I have done the same for my children too.
ReplyDeleteI treasure memories like that of my mother.
DeleteYes ma'am, Amen....I am blessed to have a child (well, young adult now) who loves to read. I like to think that perhaps it was because I read to him while I was pregnant. Have a beautiful day, friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it helped Linda! I sang and read to mine, too.
DeleteOne of my favorite stories about developing a love for reading was something I heard on Story Corps on NPR. It was a story told by an old man to his granddaughter. He was a young black boy in the south in the 40's or 50's. He had a reputation as a "bad boy" and was always cutting class and getting into fights at school. One day he ducked into the library to hide from the principal coming down the hall. While he was there, he picked up a book and liked the picture on the cover. He looked around the library and stuck the book down his pants and left. The next week he returned the book to the library and there was another book by the same author. He stuck another book down his pants and continued this for weeks and he was hooked. He ended up loving reading, went to college and law school and became a judge. At a high school reunion, everyone was in shock to hear that he had become a success and wasn't in prison. He shared his story. The librarian was at the reunion and she shared her part in the story. She saw him stick the book down his pants and she realized that he wasn't stealing it, but was protecting his reputation. He couldn't be seen with a book. She placed books on the shelf each week to grab his attention. And, when she ran out of books in the school library, she drove into a major town on the weekends to get books from a bigger library for him
ReplyDeleteThat is the most awesome story! What an awesome librarian! Thanks so much for sharing that with us!
DeleteLaura
Hi Laura, I'm definitely sharing this one. Thanks for the great tips.
ReplyDeleteHow have you been?
Why thank you Ifeoma, I'm honored!
DeleteSuch great advice Laura! I loved reading as a child and made a point to always read to my children. All 5 of them love to read. My hubby reads daily. I hate to admit that I don't read nearly as much as I use to. So many other things seem to get in the way. I need to take time! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
You're a busy and productive lady, Jann.
DeleteWe've recently started an hour of book time before they start quiet time. I definitely want to them to fall in love with reading since it is such an important skill.
ReplyDeleteThe happiest times of my daughters' childhoods were the days centered around a good book. At home, on vacation, in the car, every happy memory has a book associated with it in some way or another. Now I'm reading to my granddaughter -- joy!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura! Visiting from the Homemaking Party and LOVE this topic and your post! I'm sharing it on my Pageant Wagon Publishing FB page--right in line with my writing mission. I'm seeking connections with kindred spirits in the realm of developing family literacy and discipleship through the power of storytelling. Reading the classics and learning to "read between the lines" to draw out life and biblical principles, forming character and critical thinking/reasoning, is paramount to literacy. Doing this within the family unit enhances relationships and builds memories. So appreciate this post!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathryn Ross
How blessed you are to have great memories of being read to as a child! I agree with all of your tips, and try to do most of these with my own children.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Titus 2sday! :-)
Thanks for stopping by Becky. I'll come by and see you at your blog.
DeleteExcellent! This is my thoughts exactly and what we do in our home! :)
ReplyDeleteHow many children do you have Jes? Are they young or older like mine? I have teens and a twenty-five year old.
DeleteThis is exactly what we do! Thanks for commenting on my blog. :)
ReplyDelete