Read to Your Kids At Least 15 Minutes a Day

18 August, 2009 | dcfemella | Comments

“Love how much my children love reading”

How I did it:

Ever since I was a little girl, I was obsessed with reading. I would go through books so fast that my mother decided that it was time to introduce me to libraries. Libraries were magical places to me, so I would beg my mom every to take me to them. My younger sister and I would curl up in a corner reading the newest book that grabbed our attention.
Even now, I can’t go on for long without reading a book. When I started having long commutes, I turned to audiobooks, which are blessings when you don’t have time to read an actual physical book.
I want my children to have this fascination and obsession with books. We try to read for 30 minutes a day, but if not, we read for at least 15 minutes. I have seen them go from being disinterested when they were babies; to wanting me to read a story over and over again; to reading a book while I am there listening. I even experimented to see if they would be able to listen to audiobooks, and they are starting to get the hang of it.
Since they were babies (starting around one), I would take them to the local library’s book readings. They were so cute. During the holidays, they would have an arts-n-craft activity to go alongside the book we were reading. My favorite time was Halloween. The kids would get their costumes on and listen to the librarian read a story. After the story ended, they would have the kids go trick-or-treating around the library.
They already have their own library cards and are always begging me to take them to the library. If we go to Barnes&Noble or Borders, they are always looking for a new book to buy. I smile because it reminds me of how I was when I was a little girl.
Reading is very important for a child, so even if you are busy, try to read for at least 15 minutes a day. It isn’t that much time to invest for your kids to grow up with a fondness for books.
I think I will buy the kids and myself a new book tonight. =D

Lessons & tips:

  1. Don’t give up
  2. Don’t be lazy
  3. Instill quiet time

Resources:

  1. You
  2. Libraries
  3. Bookstores

It made me Happy

See more progress on: Read every night with kids
bedtime stories, originally uploaded by .bryan.stupar..


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Categories: children

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 1:44 PM, and last modified on August 18, 2009 at 4:24 PM. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your site.

  • My parents read to me non-stop. I can not thank them enough. One thing to remember - don't underestimate Kids abilities to absorb, or the effect of reading complicated stuff. Even if they don't understand, it will stick with them and they will understand later. My Dad read me the real Jungle Book (Kipling, not Disney) when I was three. They read Shakespeare to us before we were ten. Did we "fully" understand, of course not. But I can quote Shakespeare and I read the Just So Stories (again Kipling) to my grand kids who could practically recite The Elephant's Child by the third reading. They also read me poetry. Again, could I understand it all? No. But I do now and can still recite The Tyger, by Blake.
  • Reading is something that parents should teach their children to love. I have always bought them books since they were babies cause I want them to be obsessed with reading. It's one of the reasons I think I am a Writer today. Thanks mom!
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