When do I begin reading to my little one?

 How early is too early to begin reading to your little one? 

And what should be read? 

These two questions commonly asked questions are the focus of today. They are valid questions that every new parent should look into answering. Lets explore them together. 

Children begin communicating around 7 months. Well, let me rephrase that. They have been communicating since birth. We just learn to hear their attempts at words around 7 months. 

This is the perfect time to start reading to them! They have begun to master "dada", "mama" and maybe even a few other important words. So stick with the simple, repetitious board books. They begin to recognize items like bottle, blanket, and certain toys in their everyday life. They now get to experience them in a book. They begin to associate everyday items with the pictures in this crazy flat surface. They begin to crave and explore what this new experience is. 

                                      

I was particularly fond of the touch and feel books! Not only do they get to listen to the book being read to them, they get to feel the fluffy chicken, or the soft pink pig. Delightful!!

                                     

Children start to see the various colors around them so this is a perfect time to look at books with colors. They begin to understand what the colors actually look like. 

                                 

This was a frequent book we read before crawling into bed. There are few words, but so much to talk about on each page. My kids loved how the gorilla was letting out all of the animals as the night guard was trying to lock them up. Adorable! My kids began loving this book closer to age one, and cherished it for easily over a year.

                                 

Many children have cherished this book. The author moves us through the house saying "good night"s to various common objects. 

"good night bears, good night chairs,

good night kittens, and good night mittens."

I do have one other item to discuss regarding children of this age. I have heard many parents tell me children shouldn't bite or be allowed to play with books. I have a different perspective. Children experience things using all their senses. If we deprive them of the feel and, dare I say, taste of books, we are not satisfying their curiosity. I allowed our kids to hold them, turn them upside-down, bite the edges, be a little rough with them. After all, a well- loved book is one that is experienced. So, let the little ones feel what that book is all about. (Binding can always be fixed. 💖)

Please don't wait until your child is able to complete full sentences before you let them listen and learn to love books. 

Expose them early. 

Share with them often. 

Connect with them regularly. 

They will learn to love the words inside the covers. 

You may even find some fun along the way! Take the time...

Just five minutes,
Dawn

 

A Big Ball of String

Good Wednesday to you! 

Life has a way of changing our plans, doesn't it? We think we are on a certain path, heading toward a certain destination, and then change happens. Sometimes, it is due to decisions we make and sometimes it is to just plain circumstances out of our control. We have encountered some life changing events in the recent month, which has caused me to step away from the blog momentarily. We were unprepared and thrown off guard by the avalanche of spiraling circumstances. I am sure we have all experienced a situation like this in our lives.

But, such life changing situations causes us to re-evaluate our lives. What is truly important? What can we live without and what must we live with? We have looked at every aspect of our family situation and shook things up a bit. If I was told six months ago of our current situation, I wouldn't have believed it. But, that is life, isn't it? We only have one thing to do when life throws us a curve ball. Modify, and move on. 

So...... here we are modifying and moving on. 

What in the world could this have to do with a reading blog? Actually, quite a bit. I have a book which I have read to the children when they were younger. As their reading abilities grew, they would read it on their own. I have even had some fun sharing this story with other children in a reading class. It is called "A Big Ball of String." 

                                                                          

"I had a little string.

It was no good at all. 

I went to look for more string 

To make a big ball. 

I got more string

From a box in the hall. 

I made it all up 

In a little string ball."

Our young friend searches around the house, garage, and even to the dump, in search of string to make a big ball. There were so many things he was able to do with the string when the flu overcame him. We had fun in our reading class with our balls of string creating ideas and exploring things to do. Who knew string could be so much fun?

So what exactly does a big ball of string have to do with the chaos in our lives? It may seem all wound up and possibly a big mess. But...... when you take a step at a time, one hand over the other, holding tight to that string, it all unravels and we make progress. Pretty soon, the mess clears up and becomes organized. Right before our eyes, it becomes an organized ball of life events that, in the end, just makes sense. It may not have been as disorganized as we thought, when looking back. 

So, teach your kids and loved ones that life events will happen when unexpected. That big ball of string may seem like a mess, but it can always be cleaned up and organized. 

You may even find some fun along the way! Take the time...

Just five minutes,
Dawn

Wordy Wednesday - consternation

 

This picture is the USS Arizona burning after the Japanese attacked on Pearl Harbor. My family and I watched an interesting documentary on the findings of this ship. Explorers and scientists are retrieving and viewing some amazing finds. The ship that once carried many men, serving their beloved country, leaving their spouses and children behind, prepared to protect many unknown fellow countrymen soon breathed their last during this attack 75 years ago today. The Japanese launched a surprise air attack on the U.S. Naval Base which, within a short two hour time span, killed more than 2,400 Americans, damaged 21 ships and destroyed more than 188 U.S. aircraft, including the USS Arizona. This attack created a new dimension to World War II. America was now involved.  (Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration)

I felt it is quite fitting today to share the word "consternation". This event definitely fits the word.
  

[kon-ster-ney-shuh n]

 

noun; a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay.

 

 Synonyms for this word are: bewilderment, alarm, terror, fear, panic, fright, horror, anxiety

 

I am sure this emotion filled many homes considering the current world events and the uncertainty of the future back on that December morning. Many family members lost their friends and loved ones. May those left behind be strengthened today knowing their soldiers gave it their all. 

 

Just five minutes,

Dawn

 

A mathematical folktale

    

I love, love, love the book for today! I have read it to my kids several times, and had the pleasure of reading it to a group of young students at a school. I have not come across any child that is not fascinated with this wonderful book. 

There are a few different variations of this story, but my favorite is this one: 

     

When a humble farmer named Pong Lo asks for the hand of the Emperor's beautiful daughter, the Emperor is enraged. Who ever heard of a peasant marrying a princess? But Pong Lo is wiser than the Emperor knows. And when he concocts a potion that saves the Princess's life, the Emperor gladly offers him any reward he chooses--except the Princess. Pong Lo makes a surprising request. He asks for a single grain of rice, doubled every day for one hundred days. The baffled Emperor obliges--only to discover that if you're as clever as Pong Lo, you can turn a single grain of rice into all the wealth and happiness in the world!

Kids love trying to start this mathematical calculation on their own, but when Day 9 arrives, with a total of 256 grains of rice, they quickly decide against calculating and counting. 

During a trip to the library yesterday, Bobadob and I noticed this version:

 

This story is slightly different. A village girl outsmarts a selfish king by asking him to double a portion of rice every day for 30 days in order to feed the hungry.

Adorable, adorable stories! Fabulous conversation starters for your elementary students. 

Just five minutes

Dawn

 

Wordy Wednesday

    

The word chosen for today may be greatly needed in the upcoming months. We had a few snow flakes through the air last night and it is apparent more is on the way. The salt and sand will start paving the roads to aid in protecting our many drivers from the multiple scary ice patches. It is important, though, to keep our vehicles clean of the salt on regular basis. 

The word for today is 

simonize

verb (SAHY-muh-nayz)

to shine or polish to a high sheen, especially with wax.   

"Let's go wash and simonize the van before we leave for vacation."

I am sure this word could also be used when needing to clean and shine shoes or silver. This probably isn't a common word, but you can certainly find a way to use this word today. 

It won't take long to expand your vocabulary,

Just five minutes. 

Dawn

Wordy Wednesday

 

The vocabulary word for today is 

equipoise 

 noun, (ee-kwuh-poiz) 

 This word means equilibrium, even balance, counterbalance.

The steadfast man, who regards sorrow and happiness with equipoise.

Be sure to try out this word today! There is opportunity all around you

to build your vocabulary and expand your mind. Be brave! 

Just five minutes,

Dawn 

Benefit to the elderly

 

I love this scene taken from "The Notebook".  James Garner, 'Duke",  reads to his beloved wife who is suffering from dementia. This scene spurs the topic of today's blog.

If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you can easily see the benefits and importance of reading to all kids, regardless of their age. But what if your children have left the home and moved into adulthood? What if you don't have children of your own yet? You can still help others benefit from your generous gift of reading out loud. The elderly need you! There are many benefits the elderly can gain from hearing books read to them.

First of all, as aging increases, health declines. The elderly are not able to do all those wonderful activities they once loved. Their freedom of movement has been replaced with walking with the aid of canes or wheelchair. The joints are sore and the muscles are weak. This is just a stage of life. New activities are sought out to keep the brain stimulated such as crossword puzzles, Suduko and stimulating conversation. It is vitally important to keep the brain function moving forward even though the legs may not be able to function as they once did. 

According to research done and results given in "A Literature-Based Intervention for Older People Living with Dementia", they state "The conclusions of a six-month quantitative and qualitative study found that engagement in reading-group activity produced significant reduction in dementia symptom severity."

Isn't that fabulous news? Perhaps local senior centers could offer adult read-aloud sessions? Perhaps you could spare an hour to read at the library to all those who desire to listen? Take the time to share a portion of a book this upcoming Thanksgiving. Many wonderful conversations can be started and you may inspire the listener to share thoughts, experiences and memories. What a blessing that would be!

"Isn’t it funny? We come in with nothing and go out with all these thoughts.”  Reading group member, living with dementia, Devon stated. Many others have also commented on the wonderful feelings and sense of well-being from books.

Results from the previously mention study state the participants were noted as having other benefits as well.

• Improved mood
• Improved levels of concentration
• Improved recollection
• Greater levels of social interaction

When being read to, there is no other option than to simply focus on the task at hand. Listening helps to sharpen focus, boots comprehension, and internalize the words that are spoken, regardless the age of the listener. Therefore, it is a form of exercise for the mind.

Perhaps your loved is dealing with advanced stages of dementia and not able to concentrate as they once did. Picture books are a wonderful conversation starter. Some have minimal words and the focus becomes the picture and the direction their mind takes them. Other books have simple story lines. The options are various and many.

Since we have been given the gift of reading, we should use it to benefit others. Make the decision to bless others. Deciding to help and act on it doesn't take long.

Just five minutes,
Dawn

Wordy Wednesday

                                                   




Bill Watterson is the creator of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. I have always enjoyed his humor in the life of little boy and his friend. The word for today is quite fitting for the fun we seek in this life.  
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
jocularity   [jok-yuh-lar-i-tee]

 noun    

  1 :  given to jesting :  habitually jolly

 2 :  characterized by jesting : playful

A jocular man who could make the most serious people smile.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

                        

     

Find some wonderful humor in your life today as you practice today's word. If not for the whole day, then be sure it is for 

Just five minutes....

Dawn

 

Beautiful new lullaby book out today!

 

This brand new book by first-time author, Ainsley Earhardt, is just gorgeous. Not only in the pictures, but the words as well. This beautiful book comes out today through Amazon and will become an easy favorite for parents as well as children. 

"But if you get lost

In the ocean's vast tides,

Take heart, my child,

I'll be by your side." 

Each page is just a sweet and meaningful as the one before. Let this become a delightful bedtime story and begin the wonderful journey that books can provide. 

Just five minutes,

 Dawn  

A few magic words

 

As a parent, I have been known to frequently remind my kids of the "magic words" please and thank you. We all know them. We have all been taught them. But somewhere along the way, we don't seem to think they are necessary any longer. For some reason, I don't seem to hear them from the adults I interact with in my daily life. 

What happened? Are these words not necessary anymore once adulthood arrives? These simple phrases can actually make a profound difference in the lives of those around us. When was the last time you thanked the young man who bagged your groceries? What about truly thanking the cashier at the gas station? He or she plays a small part in getting you from point A to point B by accepting the money for your gas. Your medical doctor or nurse needs to hear a heartfelt thank you every so often for the hard work they do day in and day out.

When we teach our children to use these "magic words" we are actually teaching them to be an unselfish person. Have you ever thought of that? You are teaching them to think and act outside of themselves for the good of someone else. You are teaching them to show respect for others and not demanding something. For example, take the time and watch the waitress when she asks if you would like salad dressing on your side salad. If we respond with a kind look and perhaps "yes, please, Ranch dressing would be nice. Thank you." You have shown how you appreciate her and her upcoming work on your behalf. She will be sure to bring you a healthy amount of Ranch dressing because she feels respected. Counter that with a response of "yeah, I want Ranch." While you are still going to have some cool Ranch dressing for your salad, I am sure she will feel kindness exhibited with the former response.

Teaching our children how to grow into wonderful, kind, respectful adults is a job we should never falter on. There is a brand new book coming out to help us teach our children the power of the word please.

Bill O'Reilly and James Patterson have teamed up to create a sweet book on the power of the word please. Since this book is not available until November 21, I am not able to provide a personal description. Therefore, I am using what Amazon has written.

"In this inspired collaboration, bestselling authors Bill O'Reilly and James Patterson remind us all that a single word--"Please?"--is useful in a thousand different ways. From finding a lovable stray dog to needing a partner on a seesaw, from reading a bedtime story to really, really needing a cookie, Give Please a Chance depicts scenes and situations in which one small word can move mountains.With a vivid array of illustrations by different artists, this charming, helpful book is a fun and memorable way for children to learn the magic power of one simple word: please."

The illustrations Amazon displays from the inner pages of this book are adorable and relatable to children. I am sure you will be able to use this book to beautifully teach the importance of this word. It is also a good reminder for us, as adults, to put these powerful words back into our daily vocabulary.

Hop, skip or jump over to Amazon and pre-order your book today. It won't take long to order it....

Just five minutes,

Dawn

1825

                                                 

 The first step in reaching 1825 books is to take that first step. 

Can you imagine the characters this 5 year old encountered? 

Can you imagine the vocabulary this child has? 

Can you imagine the future this young one has as a lifelong reader? 

How long would it take the parents of this child accomplish such a feat? 

Only a few minutes a day. Put the phone down and resist making that post in Facebook. Turn the television off. Place that little one on your lap and grab a book. 

What about starting here?

                                                


Do you know this book? We love it! Laura Numeroff is a creative author with several adorable books similar to this one. We have enjoyed them all! I hope you do too. 

1825 books, and even more, are attainable. You have the ability to start children on a lifelong journey of loving to read. It won't take long to start the process....

Just five minutes...
 Dawn

Veteran's Day

                  

Happy Veteran's Day!

I just learned of an informative book teaching the ABC's through the life of our military men and women.  Maria Cordova, wife of an active duty Army soldier, wrote the book "The ABC's of the Army."

Ashleigh writes,  "Love this book! My children have enjoyed reading this over and over. It opens up so many discussions of learning about Daddy's job. The illustrations and tribute to the Fallen are beautifully done. A must have for Army families with children of all ages. Thank you for your contribution into the Army literature world for our kids"

An Army veteran writes, "Being an Army veteran I wish that I had a book like this while I was serving. This book helps children see the Army in a simple, easy to understand way. The illustrations are so cute, and every page is engaging. My kids loved it! Great gift idea for any military service member with children."

 

From Airborne to June 14, 1775 to Woobie and Zonk,  a great discussion with your children can begin with a book like this.  It may even be useful as you meet with your relatives and friends who have served us so bravely through the many years. 

This book has just been released, so the likelihood of being at the local library is slim, but ask your friendly librarian and you may be surprised. 

Be sure to thank a Veteran today. It doesn't take long, 

Just five minutes
Dawn

Henry Huggins

                                                 

I will finish reading this adorable book to Bobadob today. We have had fun traveling through the adventures Henry has with his new dog, Ribsy. Bobadob loved the chapter called "The Pale Pink Dog." In this chapter, Henry decided to put Ribsy in a local dog contest. He tried to whiten the lighter spots on Ribsy by using talcum powder. But the powder was pink! Henry now has a pale pink dog! We giggled through this book. Each chapter is delightful and enjoyable. 

The original copywrite date of this book was in 1950, with renewed updates in 1978 and again in 2000. Therefore, you might be successful in locating it in your local library. Check it out. 
 
Have you read this book? Which chapter was a favorite? 
What are you reading out loud to your loved ones today?

Just five minutes, 
Dawn