After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” – Philip Pullman
The author of The Golden Compass has a good point.
Parents know to provide the basics for their children: keep them fed, keep them protected, keep them company and all should be well. Kids beg for one more thing: our attention. One of the most gratifying ways I met that need with my children was through sharing a story.
Storytellers can take many forms. In many cultures, children learned life lessons and the natural world was uncovered through the oral folktale tradition. Families share boasts about ‘back in the day’ to instill values.
When my kids were very young I read to them constantly. Hours of repetition began with Goodnight Moon, then Richard Scarry, and Curious George. I remember reading a children’s version of The Nutcracker Ballet for twelve months straight because my daughter insisted and I gave in.
Jennifer Wolfe
Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.
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I read my kids some of the same stories I was read as a child. I even remember the voices I heard on the records (!) of some of the Dr. Seuss books. I find myself using the same pacing and voices I recall from decades ago…
Kenny, isn’t that a great part of parenting? I love sharing my favorites with my kids, too!
This is so true. Reading to/with your children is also the best way to instill a lifetime love of reading. My 3 yr old loves to read with me and will try to convince me to read “Just one more” several times at bed time.
Stopping by from Voiceboks,
Mommy J
http://mommiesbeingmommies.blogspot.com
I loved those days…I had a hard time turning them down!
Reading with your children is a must! The contact and the voice with the words–imprints indelibly on a child’s memory.
I completely agree! They imprint on mommy’s memory, too!
Stories are so important. I love this. Thank you for all of your support. I’m getting excited for the “Bible Girl” launch :0)
Elisabeth, I know how much you love stories…your kids are lucky to have such a creative mom! Good luck with “Bible Girl”
We read everyday to our kiddies, that gets them wanting to read more, love this post.
Pamela, that’s absolutely true. My kids (and students) love being read to, and I see it transfer to excitement about reading on their own.
I read to my daughter every day. Reading is so very important.
I’m visiting from VoiceBoks. I’m following you through every way now. 🙂
-Courtney
http://www.optimisticmommy.com
http://www.peaceloverecipes.com
Thanks, Courtney~ I’m glad you enjoy reading, too. Thanks for following mamawolfe!
I def. agree with you— I have four little ones and every night Ive read to them before bed and now that they are getting older– they ALL love to read. It’s a great gift that you can give to your children
Thanks, mama! The love of reading is a gift that will serve them well throughout life-good job!
Hi Jennifer, reading your story I felt like you were me! I also started out reading books to my daughter, and Good Night Moon was one of our favorites! I also LOVED The Magic Treehouse books. I read them to her at night and they were so hard to put down…she would always beg for one more chapter. I read the entire Harry Potter series first and then passed it along to her, and by that time she was reading on her own. Now she always reads and I like to take a bit of credit for it! I like to think I gave her that love of reading, and I hope she passes it on to her children!
Thanks so much!!
Lisa
http://www.lisagradessweinstein.blogspot.com
You definitely should take credit! Kids model what they see around them-the good, and the not so good. Great job showing her the love of books!
Ditto on story reading to my then little kids. My daughter followed me into my love of reading. My son, reads, but not as much. I want him to read more, but know he will come to in his own time. Reading and sharing the stories is treasure and something they will always remember. I still talk about my dad’s stories.
With your good role modeling about reading and writing I’m sure he’ll find books that capture his heart, and he’ll be hooked. Stories are irreplaceable.
–My boys are older now…and I MISS reading w/ them in bed. I loved all of those chapter books….Narnia, Bud not Buddy, Walk Two Moons, and we read Lots of Goose Bump books.
Xxx Kiss for you.
My younger son couldn’t read on his own until 5th grade. He quickly caught up with his peers. I believe that our commitment to story-telling is a big part of that! Great post.
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