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Kindergarten teacher instills importance of reading

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How often do you read to your kids?

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Posted: March 1, 2010

Tags: Activities

Tuesday is Read Across America Day when teachers and parents are all encouraged to read to kids.

The day is celebrated this year on what would have been Dr. Seuss' 106th birthday. And you can find a lot of fun activities, games and information about the day and Dr. Seuss in general on Seussville.com.

A few Barnes & Noble bookstores will be celebrating the day with some special storytimes. Click here to find out if the store near you is offering one.

And find tips for parents on reading to kids by clicking here.

I read to both my daughters - the preschooler and baby - every day. At least at bedtime, but often other points during the day.

So how often do you read to your kids? Or ... if they're older ... when did you stop? Any favorite books? Or ones you'd rather never read again?

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We read to our daughter at bedtime, and she reads at preschool. She also likes to read with her Tag Reader after school, which is an awesome invention! I read 2 books and her father reads 2 books at bedtime. My favorites are definitely the Dr. Seuss books, esp "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

When I was a child, my parents never read to me (they also had 5 other kids, if that means anything). But still I naturally developed a passion for reading that started around 2nd grade (with the Sweet Valley books! I gobbled those up until I was in High School!) and always was an advanced reader after that and still love to read. I definitely am going to encourage her to get into a "series" in a couple years to keep her interest in reading.

scarletindurham
March 3, 2010 11:17 a.m.

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Everynight.. it was something instilled in me by my parents who were both teachers. We have done the same with our kids and they love the special time each night.

running girl
March 3, 2010 8:39 a.m.

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My daughter is 6 now and a fantastic reader. I still read to her at least nightly, but I read books above her reading level. She still wants me to read other books, but I encourage HER to read them to me.

We have read books like The Secret Garden, The Black Stallion, Charlotte's Web and other classics since she was about 3. As long as she could keep up with the storyline, I continued. We are just finishing the Harry Potter series. She remembers amazing details that really surprise me. We also read Dr Seuss, nursery rhymes and other children's books.

I love reading and this gives me a chance to read AND spend time with my daughter. As a single mom, I don't get much reading time on my own.

lwilhelm1
March 2, 2010 10:44 p.m.

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Oh! The Places You'll Go. Dr. Seuss. Turtle Time & the "Ask me Why" series. The memories are making me teary eyed right now as my 13yr &10 yr olds hope for snow. Make it last, it goes SO SO fast :") Read everyday!

c2sides
March 2, 2010 4:57 p.m.

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Now that my older daughter is older, we also have been doing quiet reading times where I'll read something and she'll "read" something ... she's just learning to read now. It relaxes both of us I think.

shall6
March 2, 2010 2:27 p.m.

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I agree when you read to your child when they are young it makes such an impact on the reading skills when their older. I have 2 daughters 4 & 8 and when they were very young I read to them everyday several times a day. My 8yr old who is in 2nd grade has already surpassed her reading level for her grade. Also my 8yr old now reads her books to my 4yr old. Definitely reading to your children is a great way to enjoy time with your child as well as helping them learn the basic skills that come along with reading.

kellypratz
March 2, 2010 1:00 p.m.

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I read to my kids every day! My boys, ages 3 and 1, love books! Not only do we read before naps and bedtime, but any time during the day! If they come to me with a book, we sit down to read it! We love books!!!!!

scottandjackie
March 2, 2010 11:37 a.m.

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My daughter just turned two, and I have read to her at bedtime since she was about 6 months old. We also read a book before nap if I'm home with her. We do at least 2 books at bedtime, and lately I've been pointing out words and letters to her out in the "real world". She knows most of the capital letters and numbers up to 9, and I think it is because of how much we read together. I hope she'll let me read with her until she's in middle school or beyond!

kittiboo
March 2, 2010 8:53 a.m.

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I read to my almost 5-year old every night at bedtime. He loves Curious George, the "If You Give..." books and the "Llama, Llama" books. My personal favorite to read to him is Dr. Seuss' "Fox in Socks"

CricketGayle
March 2, 2010 8:47 a.m.

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I have a 4.5 year old son and I read to him every day without fail. I am 100% certain that he is so bright because of the daily immersion of time with books. We both have favorites...and they are all books with such a good meaning. "Oh! The Places You'll Go!" and "The Lorax" are super books. And "The Giving Tree" makes me cry every time I read it!

MyKidRox
March 2, 2010 8:27 a.m.

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