Sharing Books with Children


One of my first memories of childhood is that of my mother reading Dr. Seuss books to me in a big brown recliner in our living room. That memory brings with it sounds and smells and a general feeling of safety and comfort that never fades, even after all these years. Naturally, one of the first memories I have of my own first born child is sitting in a big chair and reading Little Golden Books to him.

Sharing books and reading with my children is as natural as giving them baths and making their breakfast. It's just something I do everyday, and it's one of the most pleasurable moments of my day. I love to hold my two year old in my lap while we snuggle up and look through his ever growing library of books. His favorite books change weekly as his interests broaden. Books open up the world to him and his imagination is bubbling over with new ideas every day.

More than just telling a story, books help children better understand their own ideas and feelings and often calm an upset toddler when nothing else will work. They see and hear about other kids like them and others from around the world who are different. We've all seen little kids acting out the stories they hear. As a child I spent many afternoons pretending to be the characters from my favorite books. Just recently my son was playing 'Dr.Dan. The Bandage Man', a current favorite Little Golden Book.

Although reading with children is so very rewarding for both adult and child, little kids need time to look at books alone. This allows them the opportunity to look at the pictures and develop the habit of 'reading' even though they can't yet read. In my Family Child Care, I have different 'libraries' available in different rooms in my home. The kids have labeled these areas 'libraries' themselves, and will often rotate the books from room to room and act out 'going to the library' daily. Imagine my surprise when I first witnessed a three year old taking the younger kids 'to the library.'

Because books are a very user-friendly activity and require no prep or cleanup other than returning them to the 'library', parents can and should use any opportunity to share books with their young children. Long car or plane trips, waiting rooms, in shopping carts, you name it, you can hand a child a book and make just about any transition or otherwise boring activity exciting. Books and reading can be both a group or individual activity, and many children who are normally shy in a group setting will sit in the reading circle and share story-time while making new friends.

By sharing books with your young child, you are planting a precious memory that will last a lifetime for both parent and child. They in turn will continue the tradition with their own children and remember those special times. A world of experiences and ideas are waiting for you to introduce to them.

About the Author: Sherry Frewerd is a Proud Work At Home Mother of 3 musical children. A Family Child Care Provider for 10 years, she also publishes several websites, specifically http://familyplayandlearn.com Family Play and Learn: Play and Learning Resources for Parents and Family Child Care Providers.







Related News



Parenting class offered at Firelands - Port Clinton News Herald

Parenting class offered at Firelands
Port Clinton News Herald, OH -4 hours ago
Among the essential information offered to participants, parents will be taught a step-by-step approach to quickly soothe the fussiest baby. ...

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting) - Examiner.com

Examiner.com

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting)
Examiner.com -4 hours ago
by Tim Wright, Houston Workforce Performance Examiner Change is not just something leaves do. Change occurs in our efforts to improve profitability, ...

Gay adoption ruling favors good parenting over sexual orientation - Sun-Sentinel.com

Gay adoption ruling favors good parenting over sexual orientation
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL -9 hours ago
As a parent myself, all I can do (and it is not enough) is commend Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman for a fair and just ruling, which put the welfare ...
New blow to adoption banPalm Beach Post
all 4 news articles

Read and be seen: parenting skills for dads - Great Dad

Read and be seen: parenting skills for dads
Great Dad, California -9 hours ago
That's according to new parenting advice due to be presented to experts in Australia this week, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. ...

Learning Parenting 101: Better Late Than Never - Hartford Courant

Learning Parenting 101: Better Late Than Never
Hartford Courant, United States -16 hours ago
Welcome to Parenting 101, a two-part introduction to the fundamentals of effective child-rearing. Upon passing this course, which will conclude with next ...

Culinary bad boy Anthony Bourdain dishes on parenting and food - The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press

Culinary bad boy Anthony Bourdain dishes on parenting and food
The Canadian Press, MIAMI BEACH -2 hours ago
MIAMI BEACH — After spending years introducing television viewers to unusual eats from around the globe, culinary bad boy Anthony Bourdain is focused on a ...

Parenting Tips - Modesto Bee

Parenting Tips
Modesto Bee, CA -51 minutes ago
By Tom McMahon Yes, 'tis the season for colds and flu. Almost 22 million school days are lost each year to the common cold alone. With a little effort, ...


Positive Parenting Practices May Prevent Aggressive Behavior Among ... - AAP Grand Rounds (registration)

Positive Parenting Practices May Prevent Aggressive Behavior Among ...
AAP Grand Rounds (registration), IL -17 hours ago
Positive parenting and early puberty in girls: protective effects against aggressive behavior. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(8):781–786; ...

Anderson court records detail accused killer's commitment to parenting - Anderson Independent Mail

Anderson court records detail accused killer's commitment to parenting
Anderson Independent Mail, SC -23 hours ago
In 2006, family court officials ordered both parents to submit to drug tests and to comply with court-ordered behaviors, including the exposure of their ...

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting) - Examiner.com

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting)
Examiner.com -4 hours ago
by Nate Ferguson, Real Estate Headlines Examiner If you’re a first-time home buyer, the fixer-upper route may be a good bet. But if you want to sell your ...