Read Read Read!!!

Reading to your children, especially your baby, is one of the best bonding experiences. Start with board books that have limited words and big bold pictures. Young children like to memorize favorite books and will remember the words they memorize. 

You can say a favorite short scripture every day and your baby will remember it. Many excellent books are available and can often be found at yard sales or from friends of older children. 

I am picky about my books. I do not want stories that have no meaning. Or that have a bad storyline. I want to read stories to my kids that inspire, encourage and excite. I want to leave them with something to chew on long after the story is over. But obviously, this doesn't happen overnight. First books are simple. My preference for  books with a single word or so per page, is for the pictures to be either photos of real items, or very well drawn pictures. I want the books to have realistic information for my child. I do not care for cartoon style pictures that do not look like the real item. If my child is looking at a train, I want them to see a train, not a blobby cartoonish train-like picture. But that's me. I am all for learning at every opportunity. That said, I adore Dr. Seuss books. And they look nothing like real life. I like them because they have great stories, moral lessons for all of us. Who doesn't feel bad along with the Lorax seeing the trees all cut down? 

Schedule reading time every day. We used to read after lunch as a precursor to naptime for the younger kids. I would read aloud with all the kids on the sofa with me. Then, I'd put the littles down for their naps. While the little ones, and sometimes mama, slept, the older kids would read their reading assignments or for pleasure...we would strive for a house-wide quiet time, at least as much as possible. And we would read again as part of going to bed at night. We would mix it up some too because I didn't want the kids to think every time we got out a book it was time to go to bed. But during my pregnancies I could barely stay awake to read aloud to the kids. And I was pregnant for 6 years (8 pregnancies) during my childrens' childhoods. I cannot tell you how many times I would begin to read history or science aloud only to find my self waking up on the sofa, covered with a blanket and NO kids in sight.

Just be sure to find time every day to read to your kids. And keep it up as long as they will tolerate it.
​Snuggle them, enjoy them.
The time is so short. ​​

What kind of books, or which specific books, do you prefer? Tell us your favorites in the comments below...Thanks!

Article by Ruth Grunstra
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