The oldest four children know these stories in & out but it didn't stop the belly laughing, smiling & begging for me to not stop reading at the end of the first chapter. I just LOVE this- seeing my children sit & listen while they delight in a book! This is a huge goal of educating our children- teaching them to have a love for reading good literature. (As well as learning to analyze everything they read in the light of Scripture. And, yes, we are teaching the children to do this NOW.)
We've always read books aloud to our children (it is one of our favorite things to do during the day or just before bed). It started while they were in the womb & when they were babies. A child might go through a "stage" where he will not be thrilled with being read to but this is yet another way for him to learn to sit still. (And in our experience, this "stage" is short-lived.) I once read about how the Von Trapp family would spend hours reading aloud to their children each evening. The children would sit whittling wood or hand sewing. So, sometimes during a lengthy reading time, we allow the littles to do something quiet (sewing, play with one car or a few blocks- no knives & wood yet) if they can pay attention, sit still, keep quiet & do their "activity" without distracting anyone. Otherwise, they need to just sit still. (And I believe that there is a time & place for that too.)
In addition to reading aloud, we try to teach phonics & get them reading for them self ASAP. Books on tape/CD are another way for our children to enjoy literature. (They listen to these during car rides, naps/quiet time or at bedtime.) Books are in every room in our home and Eric & I are ferocious readers ourselves (when life doesn't get in the way- LOL). I think all of the above helps develop an atmosphere of reading.
By the way, I would recommend this version of Winnie-the-Pooh. We have enjoyed the color pictures and the hardback binding will help it last through the years. I put this book on our Amazon wish list (I'd like to get a copy for each child's hope chest or legacy trunk), as well as a few more in the series like this or this or this or this.
- Heather
PS- I've rambled enough for this post but let me share this story from the past: Patricia was 2ish and Benjamin was a baby. We were out for a walk on a cloudy, windy day when Patricia looked up and said, "Tut, tut. It looks like rain." :) We went home to get an umbrella for her to use for our walk. How adorable is that?!?! (If you do not know the story, then you MUST go read chapter one like we did today!)
2 comments:
Dear Tully Family:
OH how sweet it is to hear about your reading to the children. Keep up the reading.
Love Nanny and Pa Pa
Reading and especially reading aloud for the younger ones is our favorite time of the day. Our children love to get out their markers and blank paper and draw a scence from the story. This is a great addition to the history notebook.
Auntie Jeanelle
Post a Comment