Taking Time to Read With Your Child = Interest in Reading Your Child Takes

Taking time to read with your child = interest in reading your child takes.

Do you agree with the above “equation”?  I do.  I have found that the amount of time I put into an activity with my children, the more interest they take in it.  For example, if I make it a point to spend time with my oldest son reading, he grabs a hold of that time and really takes interest.  I show him that I am genuinely interested in spending “reading” time with him and he grabs all of the attention that I give to him.  And, on busy days, he even questions me as to when we are going to have our “reading” time together.

During the early years of children’s lives, they grow accustom to routines.  It is during this time in their lives that we should plant good roots for important routines and habits.  Taking time to read with your child should be one of your main routines.  This not only helps them to develop better literacy skills, but it also shows them that this is an important time to spend together. And, what better way is there to end a day as to have your favorite little one on your lap, reading along with them to one of their favorite books, opening up their imaginations, and building on their vocabulary, all usually with a few giggles here and there and a happy ending to boot!

When we take time out of our lives, and come on, our kids do know how busy we are these days, it shows them that they really are important.  And, when we express to them the importance of reading and how it builds a solid foundation to their future and show them that it is important enough for us to spend that time with them doing that activity, they WILL take interest, and I can almost guarantee you that they will do it to the best of their ability also.

To some children, reading comes natural.  To others, they have a more difficult time.  But either way, if you just show a little interest, that interest will go a very long way.  To the ones that read easily, this will give you quality time with your child in a way that they will never forget.  And to the ones that have a little more difficulty, this will give them that extra boost, help, and confidence for them to gain a better understanding of reading.  As they strive to “impress” you by their reading capabilities, they are turning the wheels in their mind to grasp what they learned the night before…and soon, they reading will be a natural thing to them and their doors of the future will be open wider than before.

Week 4 High Frequency Word List
1. you
2. that
3. it

~ Amy E. Snyder