For many kids, second grade brings the excitement and challenge of reading books with fewer pictures and more words--chapter books. Kids also spend more time learning about their world through non-fiction books. But that doesn't mean that the emotional rewards of reading aloud to your 7-year-old … [Read more...]
Emotional Benefits of Reading Aloud to Your Third Grader
Although most third graders can read independently, the emotional benefits of reading aloud continue to be important. Reading aloud to kids 8 years (and older!) helps keep the lines of communication open between you and your child, which is so crucial to bonding--especially as your child approaches … [Read more...]
Prenatal Reading: The Emotional Rewards
Have you ever thought about the emotional benefits you can receive from taking a minute out of your day to sit down and read aloud to your "baby bump"? It might sound silly, but there are many reasons to try it. Emotional Benefits Reading gives you an excuse to put your feet up—a welcome … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading to Your Child: 5 Years Old
As your 5-year-old is most likely thinking about starting school, reading can be an emotionally rewarding way to reconnect for both parent and child: As your child starts school, she will be exposed to reading in a more academic way. But keeping it personal and fun at home is important. In … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading to a Preschooler
At 4, your child is mostly likely beginning to recognize letters and their sounds. If you want to foster the emotional rewards of reading in your child, be sure your child has access to a home library of books that you read together. It helps children start to view themselves as readers, which … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading to Your Baby
Congratulations! You and your baby have made it through the first year of late-night feedings and sleepless nights. At 1, your baby is much more aware of the world around him, and the emotional rewards of reading to your baby have evolved. Reading books can continue to be a treasured part of your … [Read more...]
Emotional Benefits of Reading Aloud: Age 3
All those years of reading to your child as a baby and toddler should be really paying off! At 3, you may start to notice that the emotional benefits of reading aloud are beginning to change with your child's development. Reading aloud together not only help your child grow to love reading, but it … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading Aloud: 2 Years Old
Your child is now two—or as some have referred to it: the "terrible twos." But don't despair! As with every stage in child development, each offers something exciting and new. And (just like your little one) each stage can be wonderful and amazing in its own way. The emotional rewards of reading … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading to Your Baby: 6—12 Months
As your baby goes from being stationary to becoming more mobile and alert, reading aloud offers significant emotional benefits to your child. Reading gives your little crawler, cruiser, or walker an excuse to rest and cuddle at different points in the day. This can help your child come to regard … [Read more...]
Emotional Rewards of Reading to Your Baby from Birth
Reading to your baby right from birth can have profound emotional benefits for your little one. And it's never too early to start. Babies thrive on routine and habit. It’s a perfect time to introduce reading as a habitual activity. Helps associate stories with bedtime or naptime, so sharing a … [Read more...]
Favorite Books from Childhood: Toddler to Third Grader
I'll bet you had a list of favorite books when you were a child. Maybe it was a book that spirited you away to new worlds or introduced you to a character you admired. Maybe you loved the sound of an adult reading to you as you got ready for bed. Perhaps it was the discovery that the words strung … [Read more...]
5 Favorite Third-Grade Books from My Childhood
As a third grader, I remember curling up in a window seat to read. As I became more proficient, more books became accessible for me to read on my own. Here are some of favorite books that I just had to share with my own kids. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Narrated by a horse, Black Beauty tells of … [Read more...]
6 Favorite First-Grade Books from My Childhood
Reading to your first grader is great fun! For this age, there are chapter books and ongoing series that keeps kids asking for more. Here are some of my childhood favorites. Thank you, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish Amelia Bedelia is the housekeeper for Mr. and Mrs. Roger, who gets everything … [Read more...]
5 Favorite Kindergarten Books from My Childhood
Reading to children is often touted as the best way to put them on a good path to learning. My parents read to me early and often. Here are some favorite kindergarten books that I read to my own children. Corduroy by Don Freeman A cuddly bear, who wears overalls that are missing a button, is in a … [Read more...]
5 Favorite Second-Grade Books from My Childhood
I loved to read as a child and I loved being read to. While there are wonderful new children's books being published all the time, here are some favorite second-grade books from my childhood that I had to share with my own children. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Mary Lennox is a … [Read more...]