Video Blog: Reading to Your Children
Parents “R” Talking will be answering parenting questions, giving parenting tips and covering other parenting topics in weekly video blogs and articles.
This week’s parenting topic: Reading to your children.
We have all heard that it is important to read to your child. It’s never too late for your family to start reading every day. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) "strongly recommends reading to children every day, starting after they are first born," because "reading stimulates the development of the brain, language and a closer emotional relationship with a child."
This week, Patch and Parents “R” Talking want to hear your tips and funny stories regarding how you get your family reading each and every day.
Here is what we did in our family: When we were potty training, we had a basket of our children’s favorite books in the bathroom. Every 20 minutes we would have the children sit on the potties while we would read their favorite books.
One of their preferred books was Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi. What could be more appropriate than a story about going to the potty during the potty breaks? We also read throughout the day and at bedtime every night. I just love it when the twins will be playing, I will be working around the house and then I notice that it has gotten quiet. Although all parents appreciate a quiet house, we all know it is a signal to check things out. A quick peek will show them quietly reading their newest, favorite books.
Parents “R” Talking, Inc. and Kane/Miller Publishing teamed up to give away two great books for the best reader-submitted story/tip. The person who submits the funniest reading-related story will win Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi, and the person submitting the best tip on how to engage your family in reading everyday will receive Could You? Would You? by Trudy White.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to win a wonderful book! Leave your tip and/or funny story in the comments section below and we will announce the winners at 2 p.m. April 8 on the Parents “R” Talking website. (Click here for official contest rules.)
Happy reading from Parents “R” Talking!
You can also contact us at ParentsRTalking@gmail.com or visit www.ParentsRTalking.com.
(Editor's Note: The opinions in this article are those of Parents “R” Talking. The opinions are not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about any changes you are contemplating.)
Colleen
7:06 am on Sunday, April 3, 2011
Rebecca,
I enjoy your articles.
My tip is to keep books in the car and in my bag. You never know when you are going to need to keep the children occupied. A long wait in the grocery line, an unexpected trip to the doctors or stuck in traffic.
Colleen in Seaford
Paulette
8:22 am on Sunday, April 3, 2011
When I was in town the other day, I noticed a new bookstore in town "Buy The Book" , across the street from Amazing Savings. There are tons of children's books, all deeply discounted. Tell the owner Ben I sent you there because I told him that I would get the word out. He is a very nice guy, I wish him well.
Paulette
Rebecca Kammerer
9:12 am on Sunday, April 3, 2011
Paulette - What town is the bookstore in?
Thanks for the info!
Rebecca
Paulette
9:29 am on Sunday, April 3, 2011
The bookstore is in Lawrence (which is part of the Five Towns, which is 10 minutes from Kennedy airport) on Central Ave. From Seaford, it's a ways though! Sorry, I thought that this thread was for the Five Towns.
Take Care, Paulette
Stephen J. Bronner
12:42 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
Paulette,
We will actually be running a feature on Buy the Book on Tuesday on Five Towns Patch. Check it out and send it to your friends if you like it!
- Stephen
Rebecca Kammerer
9:39 am on Sunday, April 3, 2011
Thanks Paulette!
Rebecca Kammerer
9:53 am on Sunday, April 3, 2011
This thread for all of Patch readers and all who wish to learn more about postive parenting techniques.
Best,
Rebecca
Jenn
4:01 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
My children are a bit older. Sunday afternoons we like sharing the New York Times. We talk about what is happening in the world.
Jenn, GC
Paulette
10:29 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Stephen, Did I miss it - your article on "BUY THE BOOK"?
Stephen J. Bronner
12:49 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Here it is: http://patch.com/A-gpWQ
Thanks for following up!
Mariah
12:05 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I have read to my children since they were infants as I always heard it was the best way for them to learn how to speak and get a jump start on learning. Since I have twins, with two cribs in the same room, I didn't have the luxury of having a chair that was large enough for me and both children in their room. Instead I would read with each of them in their cribs and I'd act-out the stories in the middle of the room between the two cribs. One book that we've read for years now is "The going to bed book." I act out going up and down the stairs, brushing my teeeth, hanging up the towels and exercising. Once my girls could stand on their own, they'd mimic me, and then start repeating the things I said. They laughed and giggled and it was great. Now that they are almost three, they know that book and a TON more by heart. I'll switch up the last word in a rhyming book and they say "NO" not "Train", it's "Plane" or whatever I switched.
Rick Swinson
8:14 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I look forward to the time I spend with my son reading. It's great bonding and connecting time for us. If I will miss a day seeing my son (due to travel or late night's at work in nyc), I'll bring one of his books with me and read it to him over the phone. [I still need to try skype.] I think this is a great way to connect with him every day (even on the rare night's when I can't read in-person). It also exhibits how I prioritize our reading time together. I'm hopeful this will translate to reading being a positive experience for him through-out his life.
Lastly, when it comes to young kids, I recommend you let you kids explore books regardless of how young they are. With board books in their play areas, let them explore the texture of the books, the feel of turning pages, even the taste of the books (within reason). Books should not be some special fragile toy, but something they can explore and connect with any time.
Rebecca Kammerer
9:31 am on Wednesday, April 6, 2011
This is the last day to submit your funniest stories or tips regarding reading to your children. I love the ones we have already gotten. I would love to see more!
Rebecca Kammerer
9:30 am on Friday, April 8, 2011
Thank you to all that submitted their stories.
To find out the names of the winners go to
www.ParentsRTalking.com