National Read a Book Day was September 6th and we, along with mattress company Casper, thought it would be a good time to continue to talk about how much we loving reading. Literature is so important to our family that we ever go long between stories. We read stories everyday at various times throughout the day. Monster had a full library before he was born because I wanted him to love reading. Reading to your children produces a life long love of reading and gives them all kinds of advantages in their education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a divison of the U.S. Department of Education, “Children who are read to at home enjoy a substantial advantage over children who are not. In fact twenty-six percent of children who were read to three or four times in the last week by a family member recognized all letters of the alphabet. This is compared to 14 percent of children who were read to less frequently” (See NEA website for more details). I totally believe this is true. My kids were able to recognize letters before they could say them.

While reading all the time is important, my favorite time to read to my children is bedtime. We get to wind down from the day while reading our favorite stories. I love snuggling with them and reading. We get to transport ourselves to far away adventures without moving an inch. Each kiddo gets to pick one or two books, depending on the night, and we start. It’s the stillest Lovebug ever is. Even though they pick the same book for weeks at a time, they still listen. Right now Monster is really into Jimmy Zangwow’s Out of This World Moon-Pie Adventure”. It’s been his on and off favorite for the last two years. I could tell you the entire story without opening the cover and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Reading with your kids leaves such a lasting impression. I still remember the stories my parents and grandparents read to me thirty years ago. My favorite was always “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” (way before the movie was even thought of).I remember sitting on my grandfather’s lap and listening to him. I can still hear his voice years after he spoke his last words. These are treasured memories your children will have for years to come. I want my kiddos to look back and remember reading with me. I’m glad to pass my love a reading to my kiddos and give them a great start on their education.

My Book Worms

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