There my children were, pajamas on, teeth brushed, all snuggled on my waterbed, listening to me read the book, “Number the Stars”. Just as I got to a good part, I said, “okay, that’s all for tonight. Go get in bed.” You would have thought World War III erupted! “But you can’t stop there, Mom! It’s too exciting. Please keep reading, please!!”
Ahh, music to my ears, “You can’t stop there, Mom. Please keep reading!” Isn’t reading aloud to your child one of the most fun, warm, bonding experiences you can have? Not to mention one of the most beneficial experiences you can give your child. Research shows that children whose parents read to them become better readers. Their vocabulary increases, their language and speech development speeds up, and their listening skills are focused and ready for school.
Many of you are followers of Jim Trelease (http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/). He has championed the importance of reading aloud for years. He has lots of suggestions for books to read aloud, too.
Here has been some of my children’s favorite books that we’ve read aloud: The Wheel on the Schoolhouse, The Hobbit (my husband read the kids this one), Mandy (by Julie Andrews alias Edwards), The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (another one by Julie Edwards), Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Summer of the Monkeys, (sniff, sniff) and the Boxcar series.
Share some of your favorites with us.
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We've already read through The Chronicles of Prydain, the Chronicles of Narnia, and the Dark is Rising Series.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to do the Hobbit and the Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. I remember that with fondness, as well as the Boxcar series.
Thank you for reminding me of one of my favorite things to do at bedtime (I've neglected it lately).
ReplyDeleteMy kids loved the Little House on the Prairie series! We've also read Charlotte's Web, Peter Pan, Rip Van Winkle, Ramona the Pest, and Little Women (condensed).
Time to resume! :)
I'd like to add that kids are interested long before you imagine they would be. Mine are 6, 5, & 3 now, and they LOVE books & reading!
ReplyDeleteGood comments. Young children do love to listen to books that are on a much higher level than you would think. Teenagers love to be read to also, though they might not admit it. My teenagers laughed at me when I said I was going to read to them. So I purposely chose a really exciting book (can't remember the name)and went in the other room to read to my younger children. Before long, there were 3 big boys laying on the bed listening too!
ReplyDeleteWe are enjoying the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Series right now, we also love The Wayside School Books.
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