Books with
few words but beautiful pictures are fantastic for story telling and developing
conversation skills. Children who read well have usually been read to often.
Researchers recently reviewed eight studies and found that reading to your
child can raise his or her IQ by over six points. No TV show, video, or
computer game can replace two people engage by reading together and talking.
Materials you
will need:
Ask your librarian for Caldecott Medal winners with
few words.
If you
can’t get to the library, use your computer and go to the Storybird site. It is
an excellent collection of very visual stories all created by other readers. In
your browser: http://storybird.com/
What to do:
Gather a few stuffed animals to read with
you in a cozy spot. If you are using Storybird on computer, you can browse from
a list of topics and age leveled links. You can even create your own picture
stories right in Storybird since the pictures are all provided in the program.
These stories can be saved and shared with others when you create your own
account.
How to read
together:
After reading
the title and author, start a conversation “Look at that. What do you see? Just soak in the beauty of a
few pages. Then start making up your own story using your words and the
author’s illustrations. Your child will learn to add to the story.
Ask questions
that begin with “What, who, where, when, why do you think, or how?” How do the characters feel—happy, sad, angry,
upset, lonely, warm and cuddly inside?
What is the character thinking about?
What will the character do next?” Give the characters names,
After you
have exhausted those questions ask, “What do you think will happen next?”
Predicting is an important reading skill.
Whatever you do, take it slow. Adults often hurry children. Instead, give
them time to think. Relax. Reading calms children and adults, preparing for
sleep soothing a hurt, and giving great joy.
This is an extremely important part of every child’s routine before naps
and bedtime.
More
recommended books:
Here are a few award winning picture book authors and
titles to start: Tuesday, The Three Pigs, Flotsam, Free Fall, and Sector 7 by Wiesner; Lehman’s The Red Book, Museum Trip, Rainstorm,
and Trainstop; Rathmann’s Good Night, Gorilla, and 10 Minutes till Bedtime; Briggs The Snowman; VanAllsburg’s Ben’s
Dream; Blake’s Clown; dePaola’s Pancakes for Breakfast; Spiers’ Rain; Rohmann’s Time Flies; Deep in the Forest by Turkle; The Silver Pony by Ward; Yellow Umbrella
by Jae-Soo Liu; and Hug by Alborough.
A sunny day in mid-winter is a gift. It is worth the extra effort to get children bundled up for ten to fifteen minute fresh air breaks when there is so much benefit. Taking children out even for short time helps them absorb Vitamin D, get a little exercise and reduce stress. Vitamin D helps strengthen and promote bone health and fights against depression. Don't forget the sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV rays.
