Rekindling reading relationships

Parent Perspective: Stacy

Parent Perspective: Stacy

One of my favorite books is Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. It uses Economics to explain behavior, and at the time, it was a new and incredibly interesting way to understand the world. Chapter five is titled, “What Makes a Perfect Parent?” The content is based on a longitudinal study tracking the academic progress of more than 20,000 children from Kindergarten through the fifth grade. The simple answer was that what parents are matters more than what parents do. To illustrate this, the authors listed sixteen factors that correlated with academic progress—with only eight factors actually affecting the outcome. The one that stuck with me was that children having many books in the home was a factor for stronger academic progress than parents who read to their children. 

On the face of it, that seems just wrong. Children can’t attain knowledge from books by osmosis. But in fact, having books in the home was an indicator that parents were educated and cared a great deal about education. Of course, this is a very simplified answer, but as I thought about my own experiences, it made sense.

I grew up in a home with books. Lots and lots of books. My father was an FBI agent and we moved several times during my childhood. In each of those homes, my father bought or built a bookcase that covered one entire wall. And it was always crammed full of books. Children’s books, my father’s yearbooks, my mother’s French novels from university, Louis L’Amour Westerns shared space with Jane Austen, Alistair MacLaine thrillers cozied up to P.G. Wodehouse. There were church books, comics, biographies, non-fiction, comedies, Shakespeare, old dictionaries and atlases. 

Back in the seventies and eighties, my siblings and I didn’t have smart phones or computers, but we did have television. It drove my parents crazy to see their children sit zombified in front of that flickering light, so our TV time was often restricted. We were bored. There was nothing to do, so we would just sigh and pull out a book and read. I read anything and everything. I read tons of beautiful, wonderful, amazing literature because I couldn’t watch TV. I remember looking at my Sophomore English class syllabus and realizing I had already read every single book on the list. Not because I was super smart (please don’t ask me to do anything related to algebra) or planning for an uber intellectual life, but because I was bored. Bored but blessed to live in a home where I had a huge range of books to choose from.

When I got married, my husband and I had just enough money to buy one piece of furniture. We needed lots of things, but we chose a bookcase. A house just didn’t feel like a home unless it had a bookcase full of books. As our family grew, we read to our children. It wasn’t consistent by any means. However, we did restrict their screen time and I was delighted to see that in their boredom, they reached for easily accessible books. Which in turn led to a great love of literature and eventually their own book collections.

In short, buy a bookcase, fill it with books and watch the magic happen.

Thanks, Stacy

Stacy is well-read, knowledgeable, and has remarkable talents in storytelling (both spoken and written). She was pivotal in the formation of our writing group over 10 years ago. We can’t help but laugh out loud at the hilarious details Stacy shares in her narratives about adventures growing up, parenting, and traveling the world. As a humanities buff, beauty and belief are major themes in her writing, as well.

tawnyember

How to Read with a Busy Child

How to Read with a Busy Child

Do you have a child who is relentlessly on the go? Who refuses to slow down long enough to sit and read with you? Who seems to think books are to be used as stepping stones? No problem! I know it’s been hard on you and you’ve tried so many things. But giving up is not an option. It is absolutely necessary that we read to our children daily. This one act can determine your child’s entire future, and I want to help you make it as bright as possible. 

 In my experience, finding those few moments throughout the day where he is confined to a particular space is key. That way you don’t have to go chasing after him and waste your energy. It’s okay if he is occupied with something else. The point is simply for him to be able to hear you reading. The artwork in picture books is often lovely, amusing, and can deepen understanding of the story, but isn’t absolutely necessary for your child to achieve literacy. Reading, however, very much is.

Bathtime

When your child is in the bathtub, let him play with his bubbles and toys. This is a perfect time to pull up a chair and read to him. You might have to read loudly to be heard above the splashing, but at least he won’t be able to run out of the room! Just watch out for rogue waves and wet flying objects.

Pottytime

While your child is on the pot waiting for the magic to happen, sit down next to him. Help the time go by with a great book. Chances are he’ll be more likely to stay on the potty. And the distraction from reading might take the pressure off and help move things along. If you can stand the stench, the reward will be doubly worth it! (In with the good, out with the bad, as they say.)

Mealtime

Another great time to read to your busy little one is while he is sitting in his highchair. It is helpful if he is able to feed himself. If not, you might need someone else to do the feeding so you can do the reading. That way both body and mind are nourished simultaneously. If you’re on your own, you might need to get creative!

In the Car

When you’re stuck in the school pick-up line, you likely have your young child with you. Even better, he is strapped in his carseat. He is not going anywhere! So pull out your bag of books and put on a lively show. (If you have other pressing tasks you need to address, make sure you at least have a dynamic book on tape for your child.) The time will fly by for you both. And you will have spent it the best way possible. This also works when waiting for sports or band practice to finish up, when stuck in traffic, or waiting to pick up your take out order.

In the Playpen

With your child conveniently corralled inside a playpen, I’m sure you have a million things you need or want to do. That’s to be expected. But please take a few minutes first to read to your child. Make it your number one priority, especially if this is the only way your child allows you to read to him. That small investment of time will pay off in spades.

If all else fails, pick any time your child is busy playing with his favorite toys. He will be focused on what he’s doing, but the sound of your reading aloud will still enter his adorable little ears. And if he’s truly not interested in what you’re reading, use that to your favor! Pick the latest novel you’ve been wanting to read and go for it. Hearing the rich descriptive language, the back-and-forth dialogue, and the inflection in your voice will certainly do the trick.

What else have you found to be effective when reading with your busy child?

Teacher Perspective: Shane

Teacher Perspective: Shane

What if I told you that you could join a pirate crew, have all of the adventure, and never be in personal danger? What if I told you you could fall in love with a handsome prince and have anything you ever wanted? What if I told you you could ride a dragon, make things appear from nowhere, and travel through time?

You can! It all happens through READING! You get to experience ANYTHING you want in a book!

When you think of reading, please forget about all of those books that you were forced to “pretend” read in school and you were bored. Instead, take a moment to think of what you enjoy most in life. It can be something real or imaginary, something fun or scary, something that entertains you or informs you. The only realistic limit is your ideas. 

If you are struggling to find a book that you would like, feel free to reach out to me or your favorite librarian. To get you started, let me share some of my personal favorites from a few of the popular genres:

Adventure

The Rangers Apprentice Series by John Flanagan 

“They have always scared him in the past—the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice. What he doesn’t yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied.”

Fantasy

The Septimus Heap Series by Angie Sage

“The 7th son of the 7th son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby’s father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a newborn girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this mysterious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son, Septimus?

The first part of this enthralling new series leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters, clever charms, potions and spells, and a yearning to uncover the mystery at the heart of this story . . . who is Septimus Heap?”

Mystery

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

“A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, one thing’s for sure: Sam Westing may be dead . . . but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!”

Historical Fiction

The Crispin Series by Avi

“‘Asta’s Son’ is all he’s ever been called. The lack of a name is appropriate, because he and his mother are but poor peasants in 14th century medieval England. But this thirteen-year-old boy who thought he had little to lose soon finds himself with even less—no home, no family, or possessions. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he may be killed on sight, by anyone. If he wishes to remain alive, he must flee his tiny village. All the boy takes with him is a newly revealed name—Crispin—and his mother’s cross of lead.”

Realistic Fiction

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

“Mara is a proud and beautiful slave girl who yearns for freedom. In order to gain it, she finds herself playing the dangerous role of double spy for two arch enemies—each of whom supports a contender for the throne of Egypt.

Against her will, Mara finds herself falling in love with one of her masters, the noble Sheftu, and she starts to believe in his plans of restoring Thutmose III to the throne. But just when Mara is ready to offer Sheftu her help and her heart, her duplicity is discovered, and a battle ensues in which both Mara’s life and the fate of Egypt are at stake.”

Thanks, Shane

Shane is a 5th grade teacher. He has been an educator and sports coach for 19 years. Not only is he great with children, but also plays piano and guitar, writes music and lyrics, and just about anything else, so long as it helps, uplifts, or entertains others. This lucky man married one of my best friends. He loves her tremendously—possibly even more than I do, but just by a hair. 

tawnyember

Connecting with Your Own Story

Connecting with Your Own Story

Some children just don’t connect with reading the way others do. They’re not interested in it for school, for fun, or for any other reason. They might claim it is too boring or too hard. If this describes your child, I’d like to offer a few ideas for you to try. These recommendations are centered around the idea that each one of us is living our own life’s story. So if your child isn’t interested in reading other people’s stories, why not read them their own? 

Read Their Birth Story

Reading a story that is all about your child should pique their interest. They will likely hang on your every word and then ask for more! Although your child was present at this momentous occasion, they did not have the words to describe it. That wonderful, blessed job falls to you. 

A birth story can include some experiences during your pregnancy, the plan/expectations of how you thought things would go at their birth, how they actually went, yours and your partner’s inward emotions and outward movements when your infant came into this world, comments made by the doctors and nurses, and details that struck you. Click here for more steps and suggestions on how to write your child’s unique birth story if you don’t already have one done.

If your child is adopted, read to them about the time you first met them and brought them home. For older children, consider writing a fictional story about what it would’ve been like to have them from birth. How would you have felt? What things would you have said and done? These can be powerful ways to build a deeper connection with your child and can sometimes bring healing.

Read from Your Own Journal

I have been the most consistent with my journal writing since purchasing a five-year-journal. It contains 365 pages, one dedicated to each day of the year. A page has enough room for five entries, so you can look back on what happened that same day over many years. Most nights, after I read a bedtime story to my two youngest kids, my husband takes a turn reading and I write in my journal. 

Once I started filling in the entries for the second year, I would sometimes comment on something that happened that day the year prior. Then one of the girls began a habit of asking, “Mom, what happened a year ago today?” This has evolved into a fun nightly routine where we read one or two entries from my journal. The kids love it when their name is read or something funny or special happened that day. I find that this simple act contributes to their own life story by renewing their memories of past events, helping them recognize the important role they play in our family, giving them a better sense of the passing of time, and instilling in them a desire to keep a journal when they are capable of doing so.

If you don’t keep a journal, it might be time to start! You won’t have entries for last year, but in just 30 days, you could be reading last month’s entries to your child. For those who don’t care to keep a journal of their own, that’s completely fine. But please do consider helping your child write one for themselves. And if you can’t get them to read any other books, at least they will have their journal they can keep coming back to through the years.

Read about Their Ancestors

Children’s book author Julius Lester wrote about a concept I absolutely love. He said, “Our lives incorporate more than our physical existence and personal memories. Generations abide within us” (56). We know that to be true based on how DNA works. But beyond the science of genes, each of us becomes who we are mentally and emotionally because of what our ancestors experienced and endured. What a remarkable gift to give our children: a more complete understanding of who they are and why. 

This can be as simple as reading obituaries and old letters between family members. In addition, finding your ancestors and reading about their lives has never been easier, thanks to the websites listed below. Make this a project with your child. Write your own mystery! Try to solve the puzzle about how your family history has shaped the both of you. After all, “Each of us is comprised of stories, stories not only about ourselves but stories about ancestors we never knew and people we’ve never met” (Lester, 73). Now you can go find those stories AND continue writing your own.

Placing your child at the heart of your reading might be just the impetus they need. Be prepared for more frequent requests to read together. And don’t be surprised if you both benefit in other ways, as well!

Lester, Julius. On Writing for Children & Other People. Dial Books, 2004.

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