This weekend, while I was washing up some dishes, my house got very quiet. Sounds good, but in my limited experience, unless The Boy is napping, silence is never golden. I peeked my head around the corner and saw this:
My Boy…
Sitting on the couch (with ZERO prompting from me)…
Reading book after book to his friend Woody from Toy Story.
I have read ridiculous amounts of jargon about how to “raise a reader” but the best way I have found, thus far, is to read to your kid and have books available for him to read whenever he’s interested.
Simple, but it has worked for us! What has worked for you? How have you encouraged reading in your household?
I have tried so hard to mold Chase into a book lover and I’ve succeeded…partially…
He loves to look at his books but he refuses to be read to. So we just leave the books in his room and he looks at them when he wants. He’s starting to bring them to me to show me things so hopefully eventually he will let me read to him or at least with him.
Yes, I’d have to agree with Ali and Jen – and this will sound HORRIBLE, but I’ve not read enough to my kids, even though it’s pretty much the only thing I ever buy them (books, I mean) and our house has piles of them everywhere. My son was only somewhat interested… he’ll find his time when he’s ready – I’m not worried. My daughter takes stacks of books to the potty with her, and reads to herself in there. (My son did this too, actually.) They see how much I read… these days my son is more curious about it all, but mostly because he’s a first-grader and they’re learning how to read in school this year. I started reading at a younger age, but like I said, I’m not worried – and I don’t want to force him. Also, his schooling is in French, so it’s a bit confusing to him… but he’ll get it. And so will she.
I love these pics, Sarah! Holy smokes, is he ever CUTE!!!
I also agree with Ali & Jen. I raised two daughters, and read to both of them. One devours books & the other can take it or leave it. Encouraging reading is also a good thing!
I also believe that the “Boy” is the cutest little one in the whole wide world!
Great pictures, Sarah! I agree with Ali, just like with most things, reading is innate. Of course, encouraging reading can definitely help. Good job, mom!
I don’t know if it’s possible to MAKE a reader.
I work in publishing…and have covered my house floor to ceiling in books. Two out of my three are book-obsessed…and one has to be tied down to read at all. I think it’s innate. But continue what you are doing, obviously you are doing something right…or cute at least! ha!
Words of wisdom. Just read to them, often. I love it when they grab a book and read to themselves or each other. On one has read to a toy yet though. I love it. The pics are soooo cute.
I’m fairly certain…that those are the cutest pictures to appear on this site. He propped Woody up next to him???? so CUTE. Will is a book boy too – I complain sometime about the 400 Curious George stories a week I have to read but it’s worth it…