Reading Aloud: A Great New Year’s Resolution.

With the New Year just around the corner, many people will be doing some last minute thinking about their New Year’s Resolution for 2008. Some will vow to shed stubborn pounds; some will pledge to be more money conscious; and others will promise to be more kind. But in a year’s time, these individuals will discover that the weight wasn’t lost; the pledge of economizing went out the window with the rising price of gas; and being more kind isn’t always easy when certain people are not nice to you.

But for parents who have young children, I have the perfect goal that is obtainable, easy, and fun to do: Read aloud for 15-20 minutes a day to their children.

Reading aloud is a vital part of a child’s development. It expands their vocabulary by introducing them to new words. It familiarizes them with correct sentence structure, proper word usage, and effective grammar by allowing them to see correct usage first-hand. If that isn’t enough, reading aloud is also a wonderful way for parents to bond with their children. With both mom and dad working outside the home, it is especially important for parents to spend quality time with their little ones. Reading is a fun and easy way to do that. My wife and I try to read to our four-year old son, Brennan, and 18-month old daughter, Alena Rose, every day. Though they may not understand every word that is read, both Brennan and Alena are happy just snuggling close to mom and dad. And believe me, my wife and I enjoy it too!
To help parents succeed with this year’s resolution, I would like to suggest a few titles. The first is “A Giraffe and a Half” by Shel Silverstein. This comical tale about a boy and his giraffe takes readers on an adventure through the many experiences had by the boy’s long-necked companion. What children enjoy most about this book is that every time something new happens, the reader has to reread everything that occurred prior to the last incident. So readers can have a blast by reading the text extra fast! This repetition is both exciting and fun for listeners as well as readers.

Another great read-aloud book is “The Monster at the End of This Book” by Jon Stone. This Sesame Street classic is about loveable furry old Grover and his fear of finishing a book because of the monster at the end. The fun part about this text is that every time the reader turns the page, Grover has done something silly to stop participants from turning the pages: He glues the pages together; he ties them down; he even builds a brick wall. Everyone, even Grover, is surprised to find who the monster at the end of the book really is.

The last of my recommendations is “Because I Love You” by Max Lucado. This beautifully illustrated text is about a man named Shaddai and the love he has for children. He loves them so much that Shaddai builds a wall to keep them safe from the dangerous forest just outside the walls. After he builds the wall, Shaddai warns the children not to pass from the safety of the wall. However, curiosity gets the best of a small boy named Paladin, who finds an opening in the barrier! The events that follow are great examples of the love shared between a parent and a child. This book may be an easy read, but the message found between the lines is very moving.

While I can’t overemphasize the importance of reading aloud to your children, visits to the Library are also an important educational opportunity. To help get children comfortable and excited about using the library, the Columbus Public Library offers two story times a week--Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each session includes a half-hour story time and an hour of craft and/or learning activity time for both the parents and children. If there are any questions regarding the story times or any other children’s program offered by the Columbus Public Library, please contact me at 564-7116 ext. 4. And remember, keep your children reading!