10 Great Resons to Read Together
by Ellen Jackson
specialist, library volunteer, and author of more than 50
award-winning books for children. Visit her website for more
information and fun.
is a delightful and inexpensive way to spend time. But did you
know that reading is one of the most important things you and
your child can do together? Why? Let me count the ways.
1. Enjoying a book with a parent is fun for children. Children
love being close to a special adult while they discover the
magic of books.
2. Reading a children's book can be fun for adults. It's a way
to rediscover the world throught a child's eyes, to laugh, share
a mystery, and/or talk about feelings.
3. Reading shows children that parents value books and
learning. Children who have been read to develop a positive
attitude toward books and are more likely to enjoy reading
throughout life.
4. Listening to stories helps children become better readers.
Studies show that children whose parents read to them score
10% better on standardized tests. Children who are read to
have a larger vocabulary, better listening skills, and a greater
ability to form and use complex sentences.
5. Reading helps with writing skills. Children who enjoy books
from an early age have a "feel" for language and oftne have
better writing skills later on.
6. Reading gives parents and children something to discuss
and learn about. Is your child interested in outer space?
Reading gives you both a chance to learn about the solar
system. Does your child like sports? Perhaps you and your
child will enjoy reading about an important sports hero.
7. Reading is the first step to teaching a child about the library.
Most children love going to the library to choose their own
reading material.
8. Reading allows parents to pass on their values. After you
read a book such as The Ugly Duckling or Little Red Riding
Hood, you and your child can talk about the point, or theme, of
the story.
9. Reading is a way of entering another world. Fairies,
wizards, giants, and space aliens are some fo the wonderful
creatures you and your child will meet. A book can take you to
an African savannah, or let you swim with the whales, or climb
Mt. Everest.
10. Children feel loved when someone reads to them.
Reading a book to a child is a way of sayin, "You are important
to me, and I want to spend time with you."
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Articles for Parents
Choosing Books For and With
Young Readers
Cuddling Up WIth Your Child and
a Good Book: 10 Great Reasons
to Read Together
10 Picture Books That Help
Children Deal WIth Life's
Challenges
10 Great Picture Books That
Appeal To Boys
suggestions by Ellen Jackson
by Lore Grozmann Segal
Three appealing stories show Mole's struggle to do things for
himself while keeping his grandmother's love.
Ages 4-8.
Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddlar, Some Monkeys and
Their Monkey Business
by Esphyr Slobodkina
This tale about a man and some naughty monkeys invites
children to join ht the refrain and finger shaking: "You monkey's
you. You give me back my caps." Ages 2-6.
Officer Buckle and Gloria
by Peggy Rathman
The police dog Gloria accompanies Officer Buckle when he
speaks to school children, but the children pay more attention
to Gloria than to Officer Buckle. Ages 3-7.
The Very Worst Monster
by Pat Hutchins
Hazel becomes jealous of her brother Billy when everyone
predicts that he will grow up to be the Worst Monster in the
World. Ages 3-7.
In the Tall, Tall Grass
by Denise Fleming
A child watches a caterpillar moving through the grass. The
caterpillar and other animals are described in brief, rhyming
words that are into the pictures. Gorgeous illustrations. Ages
2-7.
The Book Nuts would like to thank Ms. Jackson for
allowing us to publish her articles on our website. Other
articles by Ellen Jackson on the Book Nuts Site:
10 Great Picture Books That Appeal to Boys
10 Picture Books that Help Children Deal with Life's
Challenges
For more information about Ellen Jackson visit her
website at http://www.ellenjackson.net
Back to the Book Nuts Parent's Page.