I picked up the pamphlet that your son Nathaniel wrote entitled Hand That Rocks The Cradle. What a great blessing that little booklet has been! I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old, and they just love when mom reads to them. I know the time I have spent reading to my daughter (7) has greatly improved her reading skills and we both have learned quite a few new words together. My son amazes me at times by recalling events of a book to me later when it didn’t seem like he was really listening when I was reading. C.C.
I’m wondering if any of you have experienced this (or could it possibly be something only my little ones did?—I kind of doubt it): I’m sitting on the couch (a chair would never do) reading a good book, like The Long Winter by Laura Ingles Wilder, with one child sitting on my right and one child sitting on my left and one child on the back of the couch behind my neck and one child on my lap. The fifth child would have to make do. Everyone HAS to be situated just so to see all the pictures, which MUST be examined minutely. I think this is one of the ways God taught me patience. Let them look at the pictures and ask their questions — we’ll eventually find out if Almanzo gets home out of the storm in time. Last year Johannah painted me a picture of this cosy scene, using a photo taken of us long ago. I was wearing braids and sitting on the old brown couch so I know it had to be long ago. If I could have just an hour of that time again, right now, I would gladly read Corduroy fifteen times in a row and not complain. (written many years ago)
I read, frequently, to my high school English students. It tends to be very effective for several reasons. First, many remember the good times when their parents read to them. Second, they’re non-readers, but accomplished listeners. Reading to them, introducing them to good works, can encourage them to read. Third, the results are surprising.
I start with Tuesdays With Morrie. Even the most rambunctious boys sit absolutely quietly, listening intently, during my 10-15 minute chapters at the beginning of each class. If it appears that I’m not going to read, they all ask “are we gonna do Morrie today?”
It’s good stuff.
I adore reading aloud to my students. I try to read current works of literature, classics like Moby Dick, and old favorites of mine like Henry and Ribsey. It is absolutely my most favorite time of the day because I know I have them all in the palm of my hand. I loved reading to my kids when they were little…parents are missing out on great times when they opt out.