Reading, it’s really that important & Daniel X – Watch the Skies is as good of a place as any to start….
Now, let me say this, if you don’t already know how important it is for us to learn to read at an early age (what with all the ideas of learning foreign languages and the like as well), it’s just painful to watch kids read and not enjoy it. But, when children are forced to sit and read and not play and run and let energy released, they become very reckless when it comes to reading.
If you have any questions about what you think might be excessive, just visit my son’s first grade blog that I am handling. PhD in First Grade is going to be great site, but just look at the stuff that’s been required and it’s just the second week of school.
With that, I am excited that my son still loves to read. And, considering the amount of time that my husband and I spend on line, for quite a while he thought all books and magazines should be stored near the toilet. But, then….then I received a book last summer, one from the Daniel X series. My husband sat down and it took him about 3.5 hours to read it. I was in the hospital and he was just sitting with me. Once he started, he simply would not put the book down.
So then there’s the new book. It came and my kids were ecstatic when they realized that a book was in the bag. Now, with that said, they aren’t old enough to read or understand it but the importance of seeing us read is that important. And, the book sat on the sofa for a day or two, I had decided that I would read this book.
However, before I could settle down with it, it was in my husbands hands. He let the internet go that day and he read…and he read…and I requested a few favors here and there but mostly, he just kept reading.
When the afternoon turned to evening, he proudly closed the book, a smirk turned to a smile and he declared, that really was better than the last one….there’s two more in this series right? I wasn’t sure how many more are available in the series but I know what he is getting Christmas…
This post has 6 comments
August 17th, 2009
As a teacher, you are sure to know one secret to helping kids to gain a love of reading: reading to their dogs! That’s right…kids who are intimidated by having to read to classmates or others find it much less intimidating to read to their “best friend,” who won’t criticize or scold if they miss a word or pronounce something incorrectly. Studies have shown that children who read to therapy animals get a boost in self-esteem while they improve reaching skills. And it’s a fun experience for the child, making reading less of a hassle.
For the animals, they get some special one-on-one time with their favorite person.
Reading to your dog can take place anywhere and requires no special equipment (although it is easier when the child doesn’t expect a lot from the animal).
Dogs are pretty clever, too. Did you know that scientists say that some can understand up to 250 words and gestures and even possess limited math skills? In fact, some dogs can be as intelligent as a 2 1/2 year old. So the next time you sit your child down to watch Martha Speaks on PBS, your dog just may want to watch, too!
October 2nd, 2009
Excellent post! Where can I find your RSS feed? Do you twitter?
November 24th, 2009
I’ll have to give this a look. Nice writing too
November 30th, 2009
@Kathie
I think it’s a great idea to have children read to their dogs. Not only is it teaching the children, but it’s also helping them bond closer with their pets which I find really important.
December 20th, 2009
In most cases I do not make comments on blogs, but I have to mention that this post really forced me to do so. Really nice post!
March 28th, 2010
Nice idea! Thanks author!
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