Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
I love to read. From the time I was a young child, I loved curling up with a book and being transported to a different time and place and getting into the mentality of another person. My favorite part, however, was when I put the book down and just got to think about the story. I believe a love of literature has made me a more interesting, empathic, and creative person. As an adult, a love for storytelling has become a passion for writing. Using just the right words to express oneself is a bit of an art, and a bit of a science. So hard to do well, but when it’s works, it’s a magical feeling.

I can’t tell you how proud it makes me to see Haley and Hudson devour their books. Haley is finally getting into chapter books and deeper themes. Hudson is learning everything from his books—numbers, shapes, and colors. And he’s even starting to understand their humor! His favorite comedian is Elmo. As far as Hudson is concerned, there’s no one funnier in the world.

Isn’t it funny, though, that as kids today grow up, most of their reading will probably be through e-readers? I enjoy reading physical books, but I don’t enjoy the space they take up or the fact that I have nowhere to store them. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve donated just after thinking “this would be a great addition to that grand library in the mansion I don’t live in.” I wonder how receiving books electronically will change our children’s perceptions of books. Will they appreciate them less? Go through them faster? Be less willing to dive in because they can always get to it later? (I sure hope not!) Maybe like television, there will be more sources of content, and there will be more quality content available.

No matter the source or the format, I don’t think books are going anywhere. Thank goodness. Happy reading!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
There are many things I wish I had done differently raising my children, but one thing I’m proud of is that my children love books. From the first day we brought Jack home from the hospital until present day, my husband and I make it a point to read to our children daily. We do it for learning, but also for the snuggles that come with it. No matter how tired my children are, they refuse to go to bed without reading a book.

Tonight our family went to the school book fair. Jack and Tate had both been looking forward to this all week. They each perused the selection of books with their classmates and made their own wish list. They presented their wish lists to me complete with full explanations about each book and where it was located at the fair. They put in some serious effort. I know they love books, so I was happy to listen and encourage their excitement.

Jack is a great reader. He’s currently reading the Harry Potter series at bedtime. He’s so consumed with the stories that I find him late at night, hiding under his covers, reading via book light and enjoying his books. Tate’s reading started off wonderfully a couple years ago. Then he got into a rut and only wanted to be read to, which is okay. This year, school has helped him to read on his own again and he’s back on the reading wagon. He still loves to be read to at bedtime, but will pick up books on his own too.

I hope my kids continue to enjoy reading as they grow up. It’s great seeing them get so excited over books the same way they are with toys. I also hope that, in the future, reading textbooks comes as naturally. Watching my kids read is one of the best feelings I’ve had as a mother.

From Friday Mom – Erin:
Rory and Charlotte’s daycare has a small “library” of books that the students are allowed to check out and take home with them each evening.  Throughout the year, Rory has occasionally selected a book to bring home with him.  Recently, however, this has become a more regular event.

His favorite books are the Lego Town early reader series, and the space shuttle book, in particular.  I’m pretty sure he brings that one home every other time.  But we’ve also learned about farming, the Berenstain bears, Winnie the Pooh, Snowbunny, and a number of other stories for young minds and pre-readers.

Rory gets very excited about reading his new book at bedtime, and is equally as excited to return it to the proper place on the shelves the following morning.  We’re doing our best to teach him how to be gentle when borrowing someone else’s belongings.  We’re also helping show him that we have to share the things that aren’t ours (even if that means he can’t bring the lego space shuttle book home EVERY night).

It’s a fun process to watch, and makes me realize we probably need to get him his very own actual library card sometime soon.  Perhaps we’ll put that on the weekend to-do list. . .

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
When I was a kid, I always participated in the local library’s Summer Reading Program. I loved going down there and picking out a new book. I loved reading the book. I loved getting to add the title to my list. I even loved when I got old enough to select a few books on which to write short reports. It made me feel great about myself, like I was really achieving something.

I am having a lot of fun visiting the library now, as a mom. Haley really enjoys discovering new books. Hudson heads straight to the activity area, which is filled with toys. I appreciate all of the resources to take advantage of and activities to sign up for. The Children’s Section of the library is simply a happy place—everyone has a smile and a warm hello to share.

As the months get warmer, it’s essential to have a cool place to escape to. It means so much to me that Haley and Hudson have inherited the love of reading. No age is too young to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, but since Haley and Hudson can’t technically read yet, I’m not throwing their names into the ring at this time. I’m going to let them continue to experience books for the pure joy of it—at least for one more summer.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
When I eliminated Hudson’s bedtime nursing session, I created a new routine of: bath, pajamas, story time, two songs in the rocking chair, and straight into the crib. I’m so pleased that he took the new schedule really well, and didn’t seem to miss the milk too much. If Haley wasn’t dawdling in the bath or still working on her dessert, she would join us for story time. It was so exciting to think that reading to both kids before bedtime was a ritual that could become a reality!

Unfortunately Haley developed a habit of not only deciding she didn’t want to read a story with us (usually because she became absorbed in a show), but also declaring that she didn’t want Hudson and me to read a story either. She didn’t want to miss out! She enjoyed story time, but not enough to attend. And if she wasn’t willing to attend, no one would!

However, Hudson enjoys his story. So now, I read him a board book every night but I pretend that I don’t. If Haley asks you, please tell her that we’re just doing songs and Hudson goes straight to bed! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

For a few pleasant weeks, we had a good thing going. It’s a good reminder that this parenting thing ebbs and flows. Just because I can’t cuddle up with the kids at night and enjoy a story doesn’t mean it will always be this way. I look forward to when my two kids will both be compliant. I’ve really been wanting to get into that Harry Potter series one of these days.

Have a great week!

When my children get interested in something, they get obsessed. I remember when Jack was only a few months old, he had a favorite toy fish. He would scream when it wasn’t in sight. We couldn’t go anywhere without that fish. Tate had a similar attachment to his Curious George stuffed animal. These attachments with certain things have continued on through the years.

As they grow older, Jack and Tate’s interests are more topical. If they are interested by something, they get obsessed with it. They love to read, watch videos and ask questions about all kinds of cool stuff.  If I don’t know the answer, I make sure to research and find the correct answer.   I’ve even learned all kinds of facts about different animals and why they do the things they do.

We’ve gone through many obsessions over the years, such as dinosaurs, pirates, trains, airplanes and Legos. If there is something they like then that is ALL they talk about or play with. Tate will talk your ear off explaining the differences between 20 different Lego characters. Thankfully, they aren’t just obsessed with toys. They are both into different children’s book series. They get obsessed with certain series and end up wanting every book or they’ll read the same book over and over and over again.  Thank goodness for public libraries. I love their enthusiasm about reading books. I hope, as they grow older, they will be able to read to learn about whatever they enjoy.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
I enjoy reading books with my children. I started reading to them the day they were born, and I continue to do so daily. Books are a special part of our day. Jack reads aloud for practice and Tate reads alongside with me. Books are also a special nighttime ritual to help wind the boys down for bedtime.

Tate received numerous books for Christmas and other recent holidays. They’re colorful, fun to read and tell a great story. For the last several weeks, Tate has become attached to one book titled, “ Cat in the Hat.” I’m sure you are familiar. He will only let me read this book and only this book. He requests to read it morning, noon and night and will accept no other option. He is obsessed. If I purposely change the words, he’ll know it and shout out the right word. I’m certain he has the entire book memorized (myself included). His book collection is overflowing off his bookshelf, but he is so set on this particular book.

I constantly try to introduce a new book or poem to Tate. He will listen to part of it and quickly interrupt and ask to read his beloved “Cat in the Hat.” After several weeks of this obsession, I started to wonder if this was “normal.” I remember Jack had his favorites and would ask to read them a lot, but would include other books, too.

While browsing a child-centered website, I came across a question where a parent was asking the same thing I was wondering… is this normal? It turns out it is normal. Some kids find a sense of power knowing what comes next on each page. Tate’s personality of always being in control makes this connection clear. Again, another phase of preschoolers, and one I’m hoping he’ll eventually grow out of.  For now, I think the repetition comforts him with a sense of security when he hears what’s anticipated. As begrudgingly as it is reading the same story for the 16^th time in a row, I support him 100% if this is what he feels is needed. Regardless, I’m happy he loves to read.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Tate follows his big brother around the house, sometimes mimicking his every move.  It can lead to conflict when they argue over the same toy or game, but it can also lead to learning. Jack has recently begun to read some simple books. He also brings books home from the school library to read for homework. Jack would rather play when he gets home, but we encourage him do his homework shortly after arriving home from school, before he gets too tired from running around the back yard.

Tate loves to have stories read to him, and he likes whatever his big brother is doing. Recently, Jack has started doing his homework by reading to his little brother, and so far it is working out great.  Jack is proud of his new-found reading skills, and Tate just likes a good story. As a mom it makes me happy to see them getting along. It is great to see Jack help get Tate excited about reading.

I noticed that Jack’s friends with older siblings seem to have a leg up on him at times. They perform better in sports and social settings because they try to keep up with their older siblings. Jack got a healthy dose of big kid play time with his cousins this summer, and I could see the benefits in only a few short weeks. I’m glad to know that Tate is going to benefit from his big brother’s good example both in school and in the back yard because learning happens everywhere.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack has been learning to read many new words in Kindergarten.  As a parent, I’m proud of how far he has come since this time last year.  He is reading beginner books and even spelling some words.  Jack is really into doing phonics exercises. He loves to find new games on the computer and apps on my smart phone to challenge himself.

After finishing up a homework assignment last week, Jack asked if he could write a book.  I encouraged him to do so.  He grabbed some paper and folded several pieces in half and asked me to staple the sides.  He drew illustrations on each page.  I helped him spell some words that were misspelled.  Once he finished writing and illustrating his first book, he read it to me.  The book was about his bedtime routine.  I was so amazed at his determination to complete this fun task.  He was happy about it and even took it to school to share with his teacher.  It turned out his teacher loved his book and let him be the “reader” for the day to the PreK class at his elementary school.

It’s little things like this book that make me so proud to be a parent.  I love seeing/watching my children learn new things and go to the next level with it.  Whether it be writing a book or riding a bike, I can’t get enough pleasure watching their excitement when they master something new.  I look forward to many, many new learning experiences in the future.

From Friday Mom – Jaime:
As a quick follow up to last week’s post… Andrew did awesome in his race. He didn’t win (I swear they stuck a 8 or 9 year old in the race as a ringer), but he was okay with it. He was happy to show off his medal to anyone who would look at it and is already begging to be signed up for the next one. (I did pretty good too. Andrew ran the last straightaway with me. By “with me,” of course, I mean he started to jog along side me before tearing off, leaving me in the dust while my tired legs tried to pump hard enough for a strong finish)

Sometimes I forget that Andrew is only 4. I’m still not sure exactly what that means in terms of what he should or shouldn’t know. After my reading the same book to him no less than 10 times – IN A ROW – Andrew asked to hear it again. I said something to him like, “At this rate, you should be able to read this story to me!”

Yeah… That didn’t go over so well. Andrew literally started bawling. “I-I-I don’t know how to read,” he howled. It took about 15 minutes to calm him down. And the whole time, I felt like a first rate jerk because my innocent joke set him off so badly.

I didn’t expect him to be able to read the book to me!

But that got me thinking. When IS he supposed to be able to read? It’s got to be soon, since he’ll be 5 at the end of the year and but for missing the cut off for our school district, he would be starting kindergarten next year.

I still don’t have any answers or any great ideas on how to get him to read himself. But if YOU do, please share!