I have a son (Raisin is the name I've affectionately given him on my public blogs) who turned 5 last year and a daughter (Strawberry Shortcake) who just turned one. Needless to say, I've been concentrating on Raisin in terms of home education this year. But I am thinking I really should not neglect my daughter quite so much.
Strawberry loves books. I know my son did too, but it is so much fun to see my daughter embracing them because, having recently raised my son from infant to toddler to preschooler to kindergartner, I now know, better than ever, that her excitement about a board book is a significant step in learning to read.
This last week I read Mem Fox's Reading Magic and I've been reminded just how important it is to read to my baby too. As I read Mem Fox's stories about reading to her daughter, I was reminded of how much fun Raisin and I had reading through our 1000 books. I admit, there have been many days lately when Strawberry went to sleep for the night without a bedtime story. We were busy, or my son needed attention, or I was heading out somewhere once my husband got home. But that's not fair to her. I never would have done that to my one year old son! Bedtime story time is the best time of the day!
When Strawberry was three days old, we brought her home from the hospital. She had been in the special care nursery for those three days so I hadn't had the calm cuddling time in the hospital with her that I had hoped for. I had even brought my Jane Austen counting book to read to her on her first night alive. But I had not dug it out of my bag in my stress-filled days and nights as I wandered from my room to the nursery and back again over and over again.
Then, on our first night at home, I saw my copy of The Secret Garden on a bookshelf. I have a personal memory of my mother reading that to me when I was a young girl, home sick from school. That third night of Strawberry's life, I read her the first chapter of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic as I held her in my arms. I don't know if she was asleep or awake, but it did not matter. We were reading together.
I reflected on similar things last summer, when Strawberry was five months old. I declared that bedtime reading with a baby was the best part of the day. How have I gotten out of the habit since then? I don't know, but I'm back on board the train. I'm going to keep another 1000 book list (I started at the beginning of the year) and I can't wait to have nights of delightful bonding with my child as we read together over the next few years!
What is your favorite read-aloud book for your baby or toddler? How did you make sure you kept the "reading together" routine as a parent?
Do you want more ideas for teaching a toddler?
We created our own mail center in our schoolroom and play room because my kids love getting the mail. They love to send letters to friends, teachers, and grandparents. I also created monster postcard templates to help them practice everything from early writing skills to addressing postcards and learning the parts of a letter. Of
Read MoreIt’s never too early to nurture a toddler. Shapes is the perfect toddler learning subject. When I’m busy teaching, I set up a “busy box” that I can take with me when I teach as well as great picture books and other activities. A Shapes Busy Box Example When we are going out and about,
Read MoreIn anticipation of the upcoming holiday, we read The Very First Thanksgiving Day. I made my preschool daughter a simple puppet template related to the traditional first Thanksgiving dinner with the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags. Although she is young, playing with First Thanksgiving Story Puppets is a nice start to understanding the meaning of the
Read MoreIt is an unfortunate truth that we have to teach our kids about the horrors of the world, such as what happened in New York City on September 11, 2001. Doing so, however, should be a concept learned little by little, line upon line, as they grow. Here are some sensible ways to teach about
Read MoreOne of the most important things I can teach my children to prepare them for their futures as well-rounded adults is how to get along with other people and how to deal with the stresses of life. This concept is called “emotional intelligence.” Read on for ideas on encouraging kids to develop this intelligence. What
Read MoreAfter we found rubber ducks at the dollar store, my toddler was very excited to play with them! We had to stock up on a lot of them. Of course, rubber ducks are a fun friend for the bathtub. But we decided to make a game so we could play and count with duckies anytime.
Read More