My philosophy has always been to surround the children with books, creating a "print-rich environment" as the experts call it. The result is 10 bookcases of children's books, encompassing everything from board books to Latin for Dummies, a huge collection of classics, and Landmark books, as well as a large selection of non-fiction. We also make frequent trips to many libraries in Maine, owning 5 library cards in various towns. My job of organizing and returning books is worth the exposure to new material. The kids are free to read in bed with flashlights, free to curl up on the sofa reading on rainy afternoons, free to play "library" by stacking books all over my living room on occasion. I don't require a certain amount of reading time each day, I just tempt them with dramatic read-alouds, filling my tote bag with recommendations from enthusiastic children's librarians, and stocking the coffee table with colorful storybooks.
My goal is to have children who love to read, who understand the power of a great story, and benefit academically and emotionally from voracious reading. If I can keep these children playing outdoors daily, reading each day, and praying every evening then no matter what else happens I'm sure they will turn out all right.
2 comments:
When I began I had high hopes of great readers and wonderful students. Now I have 9 of the best children on the face of the planet but reading has been very hard. They struggle and struggle and then struggle some more. My middle child is 13 and can't read a lick. She has processing issues. We work and work and will continue to work. Let me just leave you with this little bit of wisdom no matter how good they get at reading. Schoolwork/reading will not keep them from heaven or to get there. It most likely will be part of their path but not the deciding factor. That thought helped me put it in it's place.
FIVE library cards?? I can barely keep up with one. My hat is off to you. :-)
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