| I vividly remember lying in my mother's arms as | | | | know how to get the balance right... |
| she read Charlotte's Web to me. The room was | | | | But books are special. Not only do they play a |
| quiet and I was completely transported by my | | | | vital role in language development but they can |
| mother's words to another world. She would bring | | | | also entertain, teach and inform. They can |
| the story alive with different voices, sound | | | | stimulate your child's fertile imagination and even |
| effects and exaggerated gestures and we both | | | | help him to come to terms with the pains and |
| became deeply involved in the lives of Fern, her | | | | pleasures of growing up. Sometimes reading about |
| pet pig Wilbur and his friend Charlotte, the | | | | someone else's life experience can help the |
| spider. It was a magical experience and one | | | | reader deal with his own problems. |
| that will stay with me always. | | | | Books are enriching in so many ways and children |
| You, too, can probably remember a favorite | | | | should be read aloud to and encouraged to read |
| bedtime story and the warm and secure feelings | | | | for themselves as much as possible without it |
| that time evoked. Children love being read to it is | | | | being a chore. It is up to you to make reading |
| a fact! There is something truly satisfying about | | | | fun; after all, children love and need to laugh and |
| becoming wrapped up in the fantasy of the | | | | so do parents! A good giggle at bedtime can really |
| moment. Children are intrigued not only by the | | | | help alleviate the stresses and strains of the day. |
| story itself but by the sound and rhythm of the | | | | Reading books together is a special experience |
| language and being read aloud to allows the child | | | | and one that will continue for years to come. |
| to let his imagination run free while in the safety | | | | Many children adore being read to right up to their |
| of a parent's arms. | | | | teens and as a parent you should try and enjoy |
| In this time of high-tech computer games, | | | | this unique closeness for as long as you can. The |
| videos and TV, you may wonder if you are | | | | more you share the experience together, the |
| fighting a losing battle when it comes to reading. | | | | more your child will love books and eventually |
| Long gone are the days when families would sit | | | | reading for himself. |
| around listening intently to mothers or fathers | | | | By reading aloud to your child, you are introducing |
| reading aloud. There are so many different forms | | | | him to a lifelong pleasure. Have fun! |
| of entertainment today that it is difficult to | | | | |