Small Memories

Reading Aloud: It’s Never Too Early To Start And Always Too Soon To Quit

Mothers know firsthand that babies respond to familiar voices and sounds even before they are born. Many expecting parents talk, sing, and read to their unborn babies. This kind of pre-birth communication is very important. It stimulates the baby’s growth and development and also creates a bond between parents and children. It’s important to continue that “reading time” bond as long as you possibly can.

Even after your child is born, s/he craves the sound of your voice. They sometimes cry until you enter the room and magically stop when they hear you. They know that when they hear you that comfort and attention are on the way. That is one of the many reasons that reading to your child, even as an infant, is advised. In these early days, it can do wonders to comfort and reassure your child!

Once the kids are up toddling around books and reading times are even more important. It’s now that you can get more responses from your child about books. If they’ve been read to before now, they may even have favorite books. The kids may point to pictures on the page and wait for you to name the item.

I can remember, as a three-year-old, being read to from a book that had a ladybug on each page. It was always great fun to find the ladybug! Of course, we had to find the ladybug before Mom was allowed to read the actual text.

Toddlers and Preschoolers love to “discuss” the pages. They may even be able to picture read the stories to you. In other words, tell the story just by looking at t he pictures. Picture reading is a pre-reading skill that should be developed as much as possible before a child goes to school.

Sadly, many parents stop reading to their children once the children learn to read. There is a time and place for everything and parental reading aloud is NO exception! It’s important for children to be able to read but as a young reader, it’s enjoyable to hear your parent’s voice as well as “read” a story without having to struggle through sounding out new words. The trick is for the child and parent to take turns reading during the story time.

I can remember being in the fourth grade, obviously able to read chapter books myself, and my mother reading Little House In The Big Woods to me. Mom put so much expression into each sentence and I could picture Laura in her home. In my imagination I could “be” Laura.

In fact, all that reading and togetherness is one of the things that lead me to become a teacher. Even now, at 30-something, I still like to hear Mom read aloud bits and pieces from her book of the moment. It takes me back to the good old days when we would cuddle up on the bed for a nap and read ourselves to sleep.

Reading to your child is about more than the story or teaching your child to read. It’s also about bonding and making memories. Read-aloud time was a special time with my mom. Bonds were formed, lessons learned, laughs shared, and memories made. Where else can you get an experience like that without ever leaving the comfort of your home?

Make cherished memories for yourself and your child. Read a book together today. Grab a couple of the books below to help you get started. Just click on the book to learn more.

One of the earliest memories many grownups have is growing things as a child. Whether it was in a backyard garden or in a pot on a sunny windowsill, the feeling of accomplishment was the same.

As a child, I can remember helping my mother in the Spring with her flowerbeds. I had my own rake, hoe, and shovel. Boy, did I ever feel grown up! Later, when I was old enough to go to school, we grew things in small cups on the windowsills. Sometimes these window plants were given for Mother’s Day and sometimes we just took them home at the end of the school year.

Gardening and growing things is a great way to create memories for your family. It’s also a super way to elevate a child’s self esteem! I encourage you to grow something with your child this Spring. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Tools Needed - Children need their own sets of tools. This helps give them confidence. When children have kid-sized tools, it is easier for them to manipulate the tools, and you don’t have to go looking for your tools if a child forgets to put them up. You might want to consider getting these pint sized tools for your child: a hoe, rake, shovel, gloves, watering can, etc.

Choosing plants - It’s best to start children out with low maintenance, fast growing, and adaptable seeds or plants. The best plants for children to grow are radishes, sunflowers, marigolds, petunias, strawberries, chives, cherry tomatoes, and even a pumpkin or squash plant, etc. Don’t forget to get some flowers and plants the birds and butterflies will enjoy too!

Choosing a place to plant - Children need a small place to plant so that they don’t get overwhelmed. You can plant in a large flower pot, a small flower bed, a plastic cup, or a small corner of a backyard garden. The key is that it needs to be a small place that gets enough sunshine and has enough space for the plants you choose.

To help the family and children get the most out of this experience, grab this special bag for all of the children’s tools:

Kids Garden Kit with Mini Trowel, Hoe, Rake, 2 Pots, Spray Bottle, Sunflower Seeds, Gloves and Bag

Happy Gardening!