Little kids love, just absolutely love, to be read to. Eyes latched to the marvel (the book) and cuddled up next to reading friend or family member, a unique comradery envelopes the reader and the listener: they are members of the community of the literate. The experience hits all the targets for great learning, confidence, interest, acceptance and frequent teachable moments.
How to choose what to read?
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| Baby's face, Daddy's face |
The library holds wonders--a magical space for little hands and minds. The local library doesn't have to be elaborate. These are my pictures from my rural Southern California small town library. My own children remember visiting the libraries from their early childhoods rather than the specific books I read to them, but it was always an occasion that compelled their total involvement. My very earliest memories are of a tiny neighborhood library with a garden, and a lovely book with elves, flowers, and poetry.
Little One can chose some books, and the reader can choose some favorites. Some stories are a rite of passage even for a two-year-old.
Tiny ones begin to recognize facial images, household items, animals. This identifying symbols is the beginning of reading.
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| Mommy, I'm a Big Girl now! |
The library visit is one of the first tasks of the very young child that creates a 'Big Girl' and 'Big Boy.'
Even before a toddler is potty-trained, she can choose library books and carry them to the check-out!
The Reader, whether older child or adult, is the star, the celebrity, the ultimate wizard of words. The Reader transforms from brother, cousin, daddy or grandma into the Storyteller who performs with funny voices, suspenseful pauses, and numberless faces not seen during the daily routine. The reading time can be hilarious, ending in a tickle fest, or peaceful, sweet and drowsy just before dreamland. Reading time can delight the ear with nursery rhymes, or open a door to intellectual questions about the world and how it works. Reading to Little One creates powerful emotional bonds and models important behaviors leading to literacy.
So many favorite books, old and new. Here is the all-time number one suggestion: any book by
Dr. Seuss.
The first time my daughter read independently, at age three years, we were browsing the library, and she spotted a Dr. Seuss book and read aloud, '
Hop on Pop!' Momentous.
http://www.drseussart.com/biography.html
http://lincs.ed.gov/earlychildhood/earlychildhood.html
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17873.asp
The last link is a list of Dr. Seuss books.
