Love for Reading

As a teacher, I know the importance of early literacy in the home. I have been taught the why and read countless books on examples of the importance but never saw it first hand. Ella is showing me that daily. We read every day. Some books we only get through a few pages. Her favorite books we might read 4-6 times a day. I can see the value of my students reading or hearing a book read more than once. When I read picture books in a reading minilesson, I know that some of them might have heard another teacher use that same book. I also know that every time you read or hear, you usually get something else out of it. The teaching point might also be different. Saturday and Teacakes by Lester Laminack has great use of sensory details, rule of 3, and small moment. When we teach students a lesson using a picture book the learning objective might be different each read. It opens a child's mind up to the realization that we can learn from authors and it will make them better readers and writers.

So through my background I have seen the power of re-reading to kids. I haven't though seen it work in toddlers however until now. I can say Ella want to read the ABC book and she will grab the ABC book. I can also say lines from books and she goes to grab that one. For example: I often say this..."Your my little lovebug, my cuddly kangaroo, my funny bunny, sweet as honey, all of this is true." A few seconds later she plops this book in my lap.

I am not trying to say my child is a genius (although I think she is). I am just blown away that hearing the text reminds her of the book. The power in that alone blows me away.

By the glider in her nursery is a night stand with several books. She always reaches for the Karen Katz book.

She smiles right when I begin reading and throws her feet in the air when I get to the 2nd page. 13 months old and she knows the plot. She knows the order of where I am going to kiss next. (Toes, feet, knees, belly button, chin, nose, hands, ears, eyes, head) Can she verbalize it? No, but she knows and I can see by her reaction.

I have learned so much about the types of books she enjoys.

Richard scarry is one of our favorite authors. We reread this book daily. She loves books that only have a few words on each page. she also loves analyzing the picture. She looks at everything.

Sandra Boynton is another short, sweet and to the point author. She is another one of ella's favorite authors. I think it is because they sound like a song. Has really good rhythm. Barnyard dance makes us both laugh because It sounds like a rap.

My heart melts when ella and I are playing and she places a book in my lap for me to read. That want ever get old and I always want her to have a love for reading.