Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Beyonce & Jay-Z Aim To Trademark Blue Ivy Carter
How A Smartphone App Could Help People With Depression
The joy of watching your kids read
Filed under: Teens, Day Care & Education
It is always amazing to watch children develop from lumps of soft flesh into walking, talking beings who have opinions and reasoning abilities. The progression of development has never failed to fascinate me with any of my three children. Nevertheless, I do have my favorite milestones. Funny enough the mobility ones have never been among my top picks. Sure, it's great to see them run and frolic but for me that has always meant that I must also move quickly to keep pace with them and assure their safety. I have to say that my favorite developmental stage is reading. For my older two kids it was better than any holiday or gift to see them forming out the words with their small mouths and the looks of delight as they realized those words formed a story. Recently my ten year-old daughter Cassidy has truly embraced reading. At her new, public middle school reading is deeply ingrained in the curriculum; the children set monthly goals as to how many books they intend to read and what level of books they can read. She keeps a daily log of the pages and minutes/hours she reads and then turns it in to her teacher at the end of every week. Cass has taken to these expectations like a champ. She eagerly scours the book orders the teachers send home and demands to go to the library several times a week. She trades books with her friends and often asks me what books I read when I was her age. Discussing books with her is so much fun, much better than hearing about the latest Hannah Montana plot.
Reading has been one of the true joys of my life. In good and bad times the pages of a book have sustained me and given me inspiration to tackle whatever challenge is in front of me. To see this same sort of joy in my daughter is absolutely wonderful. I hope it is a gift she carries with her throughout her life.
YourVoice
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Can i turn my mom into CPS for being abusive with me in public
- How can I help my 20 yr old son deal with being an unexpected father. He never wanted kids. I have known that for years. But accidents happen. Condoms...
- How do (some) parents believe it's appropriate to change their child's dirty diaper on a table-top in the middle of a restaurant dining room? The rati...
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
How to Know What's Dangerous or Safe for Your Children
Hey Dads and Moms: Relax! Today's parents are more anxious than ever about their kids safety, but they don't have to be (with a few major exceptions). In this episode Daddy Clay interviews Cara Natterson, pediatrician and author of Dangerous or Safe. Quick quiz: which is more dangerous for you or your child: eating fish or using cell phones? Watch this video, read the book, and find out.
-
Reading to Ages 3 To 6
Juli Auclair and Francine Alexander of Scholastic Books share recommendations on books to read with your children and how to approach reading with your child.
-
The Benefits of Reading to Kids
Reading for kids is the fastest way for them to develop their language skills.
-
Why Read to Your Kids
In this parenting tips video learn the importance of starting to read with your child at an early age.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
11-19-2007 @ 5:16PM
kate said...I totally agree; it's very new for me (my daughter is 7) and every time I see her sitting in a chair, reading a book, I seriously get weepy. Then I run and grab the camera and take a picture. It does seem like the most major of milestones, from child to...well, a little person!
Reply
11-21-2007 @ 12:58AM
Joy said...Heather, Cass is just so cute I could kiss her to death.
Reply