As long as I've known him, my husband has always loved to read. I wish I could say the same. Maybe it was because I was never a good reader. I was slow, jumbled my words, and it was all I could do to pay attention to what I had read. (I'm self-diagnosing here, but I'm pretty sure I was dyslexic with a touch of ADD.) So, from the second I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted my baby to share in her Dad's love, and raise a reader.
Reading is so important for little minds. It helps them develop their vocabulary, improves their comprehension, expand their imagination, and so much more!
Now, I don't claim to have any expertise in this area, and I'm sure a qualified professional could offer many more tips, but I am a Mom, and my Little Miss does love to read, so here's my advice.
1. Do it often.
2. Make books available.
3. Use your kiddo's name in place of the character.
4. Be dramatic.
Now, here's my must-read list...
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
by Michael Rosen
This book has beautiful illustrations! It uses repetition that they will quickly pick up on and recite with you. It's super suspenseful and exciting!
Pig Tale
by Helen Oxenbury
This fantastic book delivers the classic message about the grass appearing greener on the other side. It features cute pictures, it's not overly long, and it rhymes. Who doesn't love a rhyming book?!?!
Heads
by Matthew Van Fleet
This is probably the coolest book I've ever seen. Each page talks about parts of animals' heads using rhymes and brightly colored pictures. It's best feature is that it is chuck full of touchy feely things and movable parts! Check it out...
A Bad Case of Stripes
by David Shannon
Stripes, as it is know 'round these parts, is a cute story about a girl who comes down with a mysterious illness all because she isn't true to herself and her love of lima beans. I love this one because the illustrations are brilliant. I think Little Miss loves it because its silly.
We are always looking for good books...
So, I have to know, what's on your list of must-reads?
I have always read to my daughter a ton - even when she was just a couple weeks old her eyes would lock onto the big letters in "Chicka Chicka Boom Bom" and she loved it but now she's almost 2 and everytime i try to read to her she yanks the book out of my hand and runs off with it.... I can't wait until she gets to where we can share a good story again!
ReplyDeleteBoth my kids love books and we have been reading to them everyday since they were born. We go to the library every week for story time and get a new bag full of books. This also benefits my husband and I as we are reading the same stories every.single.day of the year
ReplyDeleteDeveloping a love for reading has been so important to me in raising my kids. I've always believed that if you can read you can teach yourself to do anything. I am your newest follower. I would love for you to check out my blog and follow back if you can. Thanks ~Heather @ http://lovelybeautifulsmiles.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOh girl, you know I got you covered on this area! I have a million and 10 recommendations and the sagging bookshelves to prove it! Also, I can give you my Scholastic code and you can order books from my classroom book orders (THEN I GET TO DELIVER THEM TO YOU for a visit!!)
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