Remember Reading?

I need to remember to read to my little ones more. Rhiannon was the one always pushing to be read to as she grew up. Now she reads herself and I find myself reading less to my younger two. I hate that a day can pass without me reading a storybook to one of them! This from me, who used to read an average of 10 storybooks a day. How did I fall out of that positive habit? More important how do I get back into it?

Remember what worked for me and do it again. It worked when I had three set reading times a day, not by the clock but by the rhythm and activities of our day. Then the kids each pick a story and I pick a story and we read them. Plus I get to read all my favorite kids storybooks again. Rhia may not want me to read her "Quick as a Cricket" and "Sailor Moo" but Ciaran and Sirah love them. There are so many good books to read, and then read again and again and again to them. Plus reading on the couch with my preschoolers is absolutely one of my favorite things in the world to do. So I need to just stop what I am doing and read.

I also need to remember to say "Yes!" whenever they ask me to read and stop what I am doing (within reason) to read them a short book. Just about anything else can wait to instill a love of learning and some snuggle time with my kids. I find the more often we read the more often they ask to read. Also the more often we go to the library the more they ask.

I sat today with Sirah for about 30 minutes while Rhiannon was at drama camp and Ciaran was taking a rare nap and just read to her. What a pure joy it was. Reading books she enjoys and taking the time to look at the pictures and enjoy the simplicity of the stories. Today we read:

The red ripe strawberry and the big hungry bear by Audrey Wood
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Water Hole by Grame Base
Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth
I Love You with all my Heart - Noris Kern

She loved these stories and I loved sharing them with her. We also looked for Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon - one of her absolute favorites but we could not locate it. Anyway read with your little ones. They love it and you will too.

Tenniel