Keeping it Fresh

Sam started reading a few early readers in kindergarten this last year. He's bright and extremely active. Often it's difficult to rein in his enthusiasm for reading. See, it happens to be of utmost importance to remain somewhat still when reading, therefore our sessions are typically very short. And this summer....we've completely let it go. I still read multiple books a day to him; he's just not reading anything to me. But today he ran across his basket of Bob Books and brought two of them to me wondering if he could read to me. Of course, I jumped (well sat calmly) at the idea of him reading to me, knowing how important it is to keep things fresh in the minds of young learners. He sat somewhat still, changing only his leg position multiple times. His hands gripping the book, he read the words: Mat. Mat sat. He turned the pages without starting a conversation with me or standing up or asking to go to the bathroom or a snack. It was a blissful 8 minutes of reading with him. Reading is the toughest thing you'll ever love teaching your child.

Two Things We've Been Enjoying

Baby Signing Time with Rachel Carson - Wanting to start reading the Anne of Green Gables series, I put on this video for Little J tonight. Everyone in the house was singing along. We all agreed that no matter what we're doing Baby Signing Time draws us in. Even Warren, armed with a new Deer and Deer Hunting, couldn't help putting it down for The Diaper Dance. Gotta love a DVD that has something for the whole family. *Click on the Diaper Dance link and listen to a bit of the song*

Amazing Machines Truckload of Fun Book Set - This set of 10 little books is great for the young child interested in vehicles of all kinds. Includes books on: tractors, airplanes, boats, cars and many others. Sam loves these books. He's 6 and probably at the top end of the age range. I'd recommend them for children as young as two. The rhyming rhythm entertains the littles, while the fairly detailed info keeps the older ones coming back for more.