Ravenous Readers: Tips for growing book worm kids.
By: Angel Dyke.

Groaning under the strain of an overflowing laundry basket, I struggle to hoist my cargo up and onto the counter top. Just another typical day in our lives, but no it's not laundry day. The librarian usually chuckles, while patrons at our local library stare wide-eyed, with mouths gaping open at our load of books to be returned. Blushing, I start fumbling to help the check-in process begin. 38, 39,40,41, that should be all of them. My girls just absolutely love the library, but more than that, they LOVE books. I guess it should be no surprise, because I am the same way. On an average both my 10 and 7 year old daughters may read well over 60 books each in a month. Many moms have asked me in utter amazement, "HOW DO YOU DO THAT?" Well, here are a few tips that may help you grow that ravenous reader.

1. Readers are grown, just like plants. I started reading to my children when they were just a few months old. Now, I am not advocating baby geniuses, we just looked at pictures and named objects. Books were plentiful and not put up out of reach. We tried to look at books daily, if it was just for 1 minute or so. When the child's interest waned, the books were put up. I never forced books on my children, and they associate reading with one of the greater
pleasures in life.

2. Talk, talk, talk. To read well, your child need to be able to communicate well. I have spent literally thousands of hours with my children at infant and toddler stages explaining details of daily life. " Now, this is how we sweep with the broom. The broom is made of straw." The more exposure a child has to a diverse vocabulary the better reader he or she will become.

3. Teach toddlers that books are our friends. I never allowed my children to destroy our books. To my knowledge maybe 3 books have been ruined. Upon the first "disrespect" for a book, I would sit my child down and explain that books are our friends. We would never hurt a friend, and if we do, we can't continue to enjoy our books. It is a good idea to have a few thicker cardboard books for your little ones to tote around. Inevitably they will fall in love with a book, and it will be a companion for a long season.

4. Read aloud to your child daily. Have a quiet time with books. It is a wonderful way to bond with your child, and is relaxing after the stresses of a busy day. Make book time a time for family togetherness.

5. Limit television. The more television kids are exposed too, the less imaginative they become. Dependency on visual stimulation dulls a child's appetite for good books. Make sure the programs viewed are only the best, and avoid junk food mental programs that dumb your kids down.

6. If a child shows signs of being ready to read, let them proceed at their own pace. Help them with a simple phonics program, and letter recognition. When a child has followed the above steps, they can't wait to be able to really read letters. etc.

7. Be an example, if they never see you with a book; don't be surprised if they aren't into reading. Also, if you sit hours in front of the tube, they'll do likewise.

8. By age 5, get the child their own library card. You may want to go to story times for preschoolers and start checking books out much earlier than age 5. I have found that normally by this age, children are ready for the responsibilities of using a card. Weekly trips to the library are one of the few childhood joys to be relished.

9. Have as many books as you possibly can. Shop garage sales, book fairs, library sales and used book stores. Weekly reader clubs are also a great way to encourage reading.

10. Go out and buy a huge wicker laundry basket, and get ready! It also helps to get in good with your librarian in case of a few late fees. Cookies help!!! Oh, don't forget the Ben-gay for that aching back, those baskets can really make you sore.

- Rukaiah (Posted to YahooGroups on Jan 12, 2001)

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