"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. " ~ James 1:2-3

Quick! Our Apartment is Infested... With Bookworms!

In my "What to Expect" book, there is a little blurb on how to stimulate your child though toys and games. It says that children Harper's age won't listen to stories, but that they will enjoy the bright colors of picture books. We find with Harper this is half true. He loves his board books, mostly to chew on. His "toy box" (a small square basket) is more than half filled with little board books we have been given or collected. I even found little 3 inch books that are perfect for his hands.
But he doesn't just enjoy the board books. We read chapter books to him, with occasionaly pictures. While his attention may wane after just a few pages, he will sometimes listen to a whole chapter. Tom is currently reading the Wind in the Willows to him, and I am reading the Mouse and the Motorcycle.
We don't do this because we are trying to creat a genius baby. We don't sit down with flashcards and try to teach him to read, or enroll him in classes so that he'll be doing calculus by age twelve. In this day and age, reading is often viewed as arachaic. Why would you read when you could watch tv or listen to your mp3 player? I want Harper to be a reader. It is wonderful and increasingly rare.

2 comments:

K said...

sponges, I tell you. Read, read, and read some more.

and,
will you help me change my template when you are with us?
please? :-)

xo.

C and J said...

Bookworms are the most delightful creatures to have in one's home, and the nurturing and caring of them is so special and important! Read anything, everything, and every day! It is one of the biggest gifts and blessings you can give him! And it must be an abundant family trait for generations! Enjoy!!! We can't wait to help!
XOXOXOXO, G & G