When I taught my fourth graders, I had one big requirement- read daily! I knew it was important, and I made sure they knew it was important as well.
But I didn't really think about the power and the joy of family reading time. Not until this year, as a parent of a kindergartner. Reading together has become more than part of our bedtime routine, it has become a time to cuddle and reflect and question and laugh and think about life's lessons and how the stories we're reading help us grow.
It was an unexpected gift this week when we stumbled upon, "The Chocolate Touch" while Daniel was telling me on Sunday while eating his Yogurtland snack how funny it would be if everything turned into yogurt. It made me think of a childhood favorite book, "The Chocolate Touch," perfect for my little chocolate lover, and I immediately downloaded it onto my iPad (still can't get over how amazing and easy it is to get "books" now!). Daniel rushed to get ready for reading time every night so we could squeeze in an extra chapter of the book, and we'll be done this weekend. I love that he'll know the bittersweet feeling of reaching the end of a great book and being both proud and sad that his time with the story is done.
Here are some wonderful resources to share with your families about reading with their children! Sometimes parents just a need a reminder of the importance of reading and how to get started, and then will come the joy.
9 Tips to Inspire Family Reading
What Kids Want to Read
Read Aloud Resolutions for the New Year
Websites Promoting Literacy
2016 Newbery Caldecott Winners
But I didn't really think about the power and the joy of family reading time. Not until this year, as a parent of a kindergartner. Reading together has become more than part of our bedtime routine, it has become a time to cuddle and reflect and question and laugh and think about life's lessons and how the stories we're reading help us grow.
It was an unexpected gift this week when we stumbled upon, "The Chocolate Touch" while Daniel was telling me on Sunday while eating his Yogurtland snack how funny it would be if everything turned into yogurt. It made me think of a childhood favorite book, "The Chocolate Touch," perfect for my little chocolate lover, and I immediately downloaded it onto my iPad (still can't get over how amazing and easy it is to get "books" now!). Daniel rushed to get ready for reading time every night so we could squeeze in an extra chapter of the book, and we'll be done this weekend. I love that he'll know the bittersweet feeling of reaching the end of a great book and being both proud and sad that his time with the story is done.
Here are some wonderful resources to share with your families about reading with their children! Sometimes parents just a need a reminder of the importance of reading and how to get started, and then will come the joy.
9 Tips to Inspire Family Reading
What Kids Want to Read
Read Aloud Resolutions for the New Year
Websites Promoting Literacy
2016 Newbery Caldecott Winners