Teaching by the Books
Reading to young children is critical for their development. Check out the list of benefits…
- supported cognitive development
- improved language skills
- preparation for academic success
- developing special bonds with your children
- increased concentration and discipline
- improved imagination and creativity
- cultivating a lifelong love of learning
*As a parent with now grown and nearly grown children, a homeschool co-op teacher, a librarian, and a lifelong reader myself, I can attest to each of these. You will never waste a single moment that is spent reading to your child or listening to them read to you…no matter their age. It is beneficial to hear books read aloud even when we are older. Our kids are more likely to grow up strong readers which leads to strong leadership and emotional/social awareness and becoming readers themselves, which keeps the literacy growing with future generations! Model reading! Let your children be surrounded by books in the all the rooms in your home as well as seeing you with books, newspapers, magazines etc in your own hands. Our world sometimes discourages adults from being creative and imaginative by telling us to “grow up” and “act our age”, but the reality of it is reading allows us to travel to places we may never otherwise visit. It allows our minds to imagine what people and places look like instead of relying on others telling us in visual movies. Reading allows us the opportunity to know there are others like ourselves, with similar backgrounds and issues that we may struggle with in life. Reading is connection and we are relational beings. Reading is for ages 0-99 and beyond. We now have the ability to have large print, audio, graphic novels, and so much more. Never stop reading!
Horse Powered Reading
Horse Powered Reading is a supplemental program that brings learning outside the classroom. It unites students with horses who are natural teachers. It’s a hands-on learning that adds to what is already being taught in the classroom setting. The sessions can benefit any age and can simply add some fun, extracurricular learning or give that one-on-one tutoring in certain areas of reading and the English language.
I have recently earned by certification in this program, and I’m very excited to begin offering tutoring sessions with “Equine Story Starters“. I am planning to begin a “Barnyard Bookworms” for elementary age kiddos that want to get together and share whatever books they are reading. There are also opportunities to take part in “Equine Ears” where kids can come and read to a horse to gain confidence and courage in their reading. “Hoofprint Helpers” will be offered for those who could benefit from a homework buddy.
For more information on the history and the power of this program, please visit the program’s direct site at http://www.horsepoweredreading.com
I’m so excited for all this program can do to help kids LOVE reading and gain confidence in those skills. As one who struggled with reading in early elementary school, I wish I could have an opportunity like this! I want to help others succeed and bring literacy to a whole new level! Contact me at farmlife22.kbc@gmail.com and schedule your visit!
Invest in the Children
From the time I knew I was first expecting, I collected books for my children. I read to them before they were born in hopes of instilling a love for words. As they snuggled in my lap, I read so they could know the meaning of time well spent. As they grew, I read to encourage their vocabulary. As they were learning to read to themselves, I continued to read books to give them a desire to read more. As they mastered reading, I read aloud so we could share in family learning.
Our wise children’s librarian and storyteller once shared with me, let them read books that are below their level for pure enjoyment, encourage them to read books on their level for gaining confidence, provide books for them above their reading level to give a challenge to reach, and let them see you reading as an example of continual learning.
As adults, we are often discouraged from using our imagination. So much of what we do in day to day life becomes routine and simply regurgitating information. Imagination is a gift to be opened and should never be put back in a box. Books of all kinds keep the imagination growing and stretching in all directions.
Reading books allows us to travel without leaving our seat. With our world changing at such a fast pace and turning more and more to electronic devices, may we never replace the value of a book we hold in our hands.
There are libraries and bookstores in nearly every town. But if you need the convenience of quality books that will teach you and your children as well as encourage imagination while providing a virtual trip around the world, look no further than USBORNE BOOKS & MORE. If you need a friendly consultant for guidance, contact Dawin Strelow at https://x8464.myubam.com/
Happy Reading!
“Oh, magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words!” — A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943
Breathing
“She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and LIVE.”
-Annie Dillard
Reading
“Reading…is an act of resistance in a landscape of distraction.”
– David L. Ulin, The Lost Art of Reading
Reading is a healthy escape from the routine and free travel to many places you may never otherwise visit. Take time to read a book…it’s good for you!