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Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.
— Emilie Buchwald
If you do nothing else, read to your child. This was the sage wisdom I received before I met my son that warm summer night. Admittedly, there were many times when we sat together as I read that I questioned if his little brain was making connections between the pictures on the page and the words being spoken. Seven years later and it’s a rarity that you won’t find my son without a book in hand. We’re regulars at our local public library, always in search of the latest imaginative adventure. Even before his school books of choice are due, he’s read them at least once and very often more than that to revisit those stories. My daughter isn’t reading yet, but very often I’ll hear her flipping through the pages of a book, telling her own version of the story in hand. I’m raising little readers, and as a parent, there is no greater educational gift you can give your child.
The benefits of reading are numerous and well-documented. As a parent, I want to give my child the best opportunity for academic success and inspiring a love of books is an integral part of that. Here are just a few ways I motivate my kids to read:
1. Start early. Even before children speak, they are listening, observing, and absorbing everything their parents say and do. When my children were infants and young tots, I chose board books with simple words and increased the length and complexity as they matured. Remember that it is never too late to start raising readers!
2. Make books accessible. As a young girl, I loved books. I still remember visiting the local public library with my father after school…memories I cherish and am grateful for. When I learned how to drive, I’d visit the bookstore each week for a new book because I wanted to build my library and I often read books more than one time. Whether it’s regular trips to the library or having a dedicated space for books in your home, surround your child with books so they understand the value and want to explore the adventures they hold inside.
3. Role model. Children are imitators and they will often say and do what they hear and observe. My excitement for books is genuine and my children see that, so they get excited when we go to the library or bookstore. In addition to family story time, allow the children the opportunity to see you reading, even if it’s a newspaper in the morning, a magazine in the afternoon, or the Bible before bedtime.
4. Go digital. Limiting screen time is essential. It’s also incredibly difficult if it isn’t enforced early on. Because technology is such an integral part of our culture, I try to incorporate it in meaningful ways rather than to outright eliminate it. Many libraries now allow children (and adults!) the option of borrowing eBooks for free. While I still believe in the value and experience of reading a book with pages, changing it up from time to time with an eBook might be the inspiration they need.
5. Reward your reader. While I definitely don’t think bribing a child to read will produce the results you’re aiming for, rewarding a child for reading is a great way to reinforce this important life skill. At school, my son participates in a monthly reading Bingo challenge which identifies different types of books to be found and then read. Once a child has read all of the books in a row (Bingo!), he/she receives a small prize. And if a child reads all of the books (blackout Bingo!) they receive an additional prize. Rewards don’t have to be grandiose to garner excitement. Even without the “prizes,” I still see my son reading a wide variety of books because he absolutely loves to read.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
In the coming weeks, we’ll be celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss, who’s children’s books have inspired young readers across the globe. This incredibly talented writer/cartoonist was known for his imaginative characters, simple vocabulary, and use of rhyme to engage even the youngest of readers. We have a small library of Dr. Seuss books and my children often go back repeatedly to relive those stories. If you’re looking to add to your Dr. Seuss collection, Walmart is currently offering special pricing on beginner books, board books, and Classic titles by the beloved author. Through March 14th, 2015, you’ll find the following Dr. Seuss titles available at reduced prices:
Beginner Books: $5 (regularly $8.99)
Board Books: $3.50 (regularly $4.99)
Classic Titles: $10 (regularly $14.95)
Kids You’ll Move Mountains Campaign
Additionally, this year marks the 25th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ last book Oh, The Places You’ll Go! This is an inspiring, yet simple story with a profound message about the journey of life. In honor of the anniversary, Random House launched the Kids You’ll Move Mountains Campaign which seeks to find children between the ages of 5 and 18 who are excelling in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. If you know a child who is STEAMing ahead, encourage him/her to submit an essay on “How They Will Move Mountains” in their area. There will be 5 grand prize winners (one for each area), each of which will receive a $10,000 Scholarship Grant, a ride on the Goodyear Blimp, and a trip to a Seuss theme park at Universal Studios, Orlando Fl. 4 winners will also receive a $5,000 Scholarship Grant. For information about this campaign, visit KidsMovingMountains.com.
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