| The statistics show that more than a few of us | | | | very important part of the process, so cuddle up |
| fail miserably in the reading to our kids | | | | on the sofa, in front of the fire or on their bed |
| department. To wit: | | | | and make sure you have an arm around them or |
| * 50% of infants and toddlers are routinely read | | | | that they're lying against you comfortably. |
| to by their parents. | | | | Next pick a book that's in their age range. If you |
| * 40% of fourth-graders read below their grade | | | | get a chance, read it out loud on your own first, |
| level. | | | | practice the voices, and come up with a few |
| * 30% of first-graders are placed in remedial | | | | funny noises to throw in. Get the kids giggling and |
| reading programs | | | | you've won them over. |
| After fourth grade, all school success is contingent | | | | Be soft spoken when you can. Don't just steam |
| on reading success. Starting school without early | | | | through the book. Kids love the illustrations, |
| literacy skills puts children at risk for school failure, | | | | especially when there are animals and things |
| and we all know what that means. | | | | familiar to them, so point them out and encourage |
| The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly | | | | them to tell you what they are. If they get it |
| recommends that parents read to their children | | | | right, lavish them with praise! If they don't, play it |
| daily from six months of age. Why? First and | | | | down, it's not a failure; tell them what it is and |
| foremost, reading aloud to children helps stimulate | | | | describe it to them to help them remember. Make |
| brain development. Here are some other benefits | | | | one of the noises if the time is right! Next time |
| of reading aloud: | | | | they'll tell you what it is! Point at the words as |
| - Stimulates imagination | | | | you read, this helps with the all important word |
| - Fosters language development | | | | recognition process. Before long, if you purposely |
| - Promotes reading skills | | | | leave out a sentence, they'll fill it in for you! |
| - Prepares children for school success | | | | An option to the traditional paper books, are digital |
| - Motivates children to love books | | | | online books that can be downloaded to your |
| Keep reading to your child even after he or she | | | | computer or mobile device and used wherever |
| learns to read. A child can listen and understand | | | | you are. They can be a tremendous help to those |
| more difficult stories than she can read on her | | | | who genuinely can't find the time to read with |
| own. | | | | their kids as often as they'd like. Some of these |
| With all of these reasons, why don't parents read | | | | digital books have easy to follow text that comes |
| to their children throughout the day? Some | | | | up as the book is narrated and include sound |
| parents will say they just don't have the time to | | | | effects and music so it sounds a bit like a movie, |
| sit down and read; others that they feel awkward | | | | which is more than enough to keep the kids |
| reading out loud. And still more who are unable to | | | | interest. You can watch these with the kids too, |
| read to their children because they never learned | | | | or turn off the sound and read to them yourself. |
| to read themselves. Sadly, the world has an | | | | These online digital books are also great for adults |
| enormous number of illiterate adults. But we have | | | | learning to read and some even come in different |
| a chance to change all that by making a bit of an | | | | languages - very handy if you're trying to learn |
| effort, and for those who are quite unable to | | | | Spanish! The younger a child begins to learn a |
| read, we now have technologies that can help | | | | language, the easier it is for them to retain it for |
| both children and adults. | | | | later. |
| Let's start at the beginning. For those | | | | So, make a big effort to sit down with the rug |
| embarrassed by reading aloud, remember one | | | | rats and read together. It's one of the best things |
| thing only: your young children will not judge you | | | | you can do for them and their future, and it's one |
| on your performance; they will love you more for | | | | of the most important times you will spend with |
| doing it; have more lasting memories of time with | | | | them too. And remember, if, for whatever the |
| you, and always thank you for making the effort. | | | | reason, you can't read to your children enough |
| It won't be long before you've relaxed enough to | | | | during the day, there are digital books that your |
| enjoy it too. I have two favorite times for | | | | children will enjoy. You have the ability to improve |
| reading to my kids: after dark on winter | | | | those frightening statistics above. |
| afternoons, and at bedtime. The cuddle factor is a | | | | |