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#early reader, children's books, Children's literature, kid lit, kids books, literacy, Reading, reading early, reading to Kids, rhyning books
It is very likely that I’m preaching to the choir, but sometimes it’s important to be reminded why we do what we do.
When my kids were little, reading books to and with them was a daily activity, one we enjoyed tremendously. Witnessing their delight in learning new things, their surprise and their pleasure at new discoveries, and their inevitable growing enchantment with words was a reward in itself.
But much more was gained.
Exposure to books enriched their lives. They learned about places and cultures. They learned about people. They learned a lot about what excites and what interests them. They gained knowledge, they acquired a fabulous vocabulary, and a multitude of other valuable skills. Clearly, their early and ongoing exposure to books contributed much to the young adults, they are today: Intelligent, articulate, thoughtful, compassionate, and curious. Always curious to know more, to understand better, to grow and to develop.
Truth be told, I don’t recall entertaining altruistic intentions regarding the advantages I gifted my kids. Reading to and with them was simply a beloved activity that stemmed from my obsession with books and the joy I derived from interacting with my children. Reading bonded and connected us more. It served as stimuli for discussion and expression. I truly enjoyed observing them and I marveled as they grew and developed. I was privileged thus to get to know them. But better yet, they got to know themselves.
Stepping back and seeing the larger picture, one cannot but acknowledge the incredible impact reading has on the young, on their development, and on their lives as adults:
Here are some of the benefits:
- Reading enriches vocabulary.
- Reading teaches grammar and proper sentence structure
- Reading engenders thought and analysis
- Reading promotes articulation
- Reading enhances concentration and focus
- Reading opens up worlds far away
- Reading invigorates the mind
- Reading kindles the imagination
- Reading arouses curiosity and a thirst for knowledge
- Reading exposes different opinions and ways of seeing the world
- Reading opens minds and enables the acceptance of the other
- Reading promotes compassion
- Reading provokes empathy
- And yes, reading is a key to success in school and beyond
There’s more. Much more. And you are invited to add to the list in the comments below.
Finally, the most impactful of all, I believe, is the effect reading has on making choices. The choices my children and their well-read friends made as teens and continue to make as young adults are choices of the informed and the caring; are choices of people with a vision and a hope for an interesting, productive, and fulfilling tomorrow.
Read to and with your children.
It is without question one of the best gifts you can give them.
My latest releases:
Bedtime Stories with Uncle Willy
Available in digital and print
Free with Kindle Unlimited, $0.99 each
In Once Upon a Time, the hilarious first in the Bedtime Stories with Uncle Willy series, silly Uncle Willy’s wild imagination has clocks racing around the block, socks dancing, shoes broadcasting the entertainment news, bananas on horseback, and much more! All told in hysterical rhymes. Click to Buy
In The Cat, the Rat, and the Hat Wearing Bat, the hilarious second volume in the Bedtime Stories with Uncle Willy series, Silly Uncle Willy’s wild imagination has a whole town speaking in RHYMES. Not only do the residents of LaRhyme rhyme all the time, but everything around them rhymes. Click Here to Buy
MazorBooks publishes children’s books that promote good values, such as literacy, respect, responsibility, honor, honesty, cleanliness, friendship, self-esteem, good nutrition, and healthy living to name several.
Visit http://www.MazorBooks.com for MazorBooks list of books!
