| Make Readers of Your Future Leaders | | | | - Bring books to life. |
| | | | Remember Dr. Seuss' classic, 'Green Eggs and Ham'? |
| Copyright (c) 2004 | | | | Many amom has dribbled a little green food coloring in |
| Everyone wants their kids to do well. | | | | withsome scrambled eggs to the delight of her |
| To that end, we educate them, hover over them | | | | preschooler! |
| and spendlots of time and money guiding them into a | | | | Reading about castles? Get some discarded |
| future withno guarantees. | | | | refrigeratorboxes and build your own castle! |
| This is all good stuff, but sometimes it's easy | | | | Wondering if you have abudding scientist? Get a |
| tooverlook the simple things that can offer big | | | | book about simple scienceexperiments you can do at |
| resultsfor small investments. | | | | home and work a few with youryoungster. Watch |
| Like reading. | | | | for her excitement and you'll discoverher interests |
| Are your kids readers? Are you? | | | | firsthand. |
| Study after study has shown that kids who are | | | | - Establish a new treat. |
| readersdo better in school, have broader areas of | | | | Doling out rewards for a job well done? Include a |
| interest,and just plain enjoy learning more than their | | | | tripto the local bookstore as one of the prizes. |
| non-readingpeers. | | | | Owning theirown books raises the books' value in |
| With data like that, it's an easy decision to | | | | your child'sperspective. Reading a book series and |
| makereaders out of your future leaders. Need to | | | | reveling in theanticipation of waiting for the next |
| convincethem? Here's a few things to share with | | | | book to be releasedis a wonderful thing! |
| them: | | | | - Encourage writing. |
| - It's cool to have a library card. | | | | Over and over again we hear how new graduates in |
| Why depend on everyone else for all the answers? | | | | theworkplace simply don't know how to write. While |
| Peoplewho enjoy reading and can find their way | | | | strongwriting skills take time and effort, the |
| around alibrary can locate their own solutions. In the | | | | foundation is agood set of reading skills. Quite often, |
| humanexperience, whatever a person is going | | | | young readersare inspired to write their own stories |
| through, someoneelse has encountered it and wrote | | | | after reading anexciting tale written by someone else. |
| about it. Independent,thinking kids can research their | | | | Encourage theirwriting efforts, showing them how |
| own answers as well asdiscuss their findings with the | | | | they can open a powerfulcommunication channel with |
| adults in their lives. | | | | others by mastering writingskills. |
| - Newspapers and magazines count. | | | | - Learn a new hobby. |
| To be an 'official' reader, your child doesn't have | | | | Has your child always wondered what it would be |
| todrag through a 'classic' every month. The number | | | | liketo fly model rockets? Do you have a youngster |
| one rulehere is: make it fun! Books are great, but | | | | who wishesshe had a pet, but you're not sure she's |
| they are onlyone resource for you and your children. | | | | ready? Start outwith a book; check for continued |
| Help your childfind a magazine that appeals to an | | | | interest and build fromthere. |
| interest or hobby theyhave and then subscribe. Kids | | | | - Be a reader yourself. |
| love getting something inthe mail each month and a | | | | Nothing works in parenting like modeling. If you |
| magazine is portable enough tothrow in a backpack. | | | | lovesports and indulge in athletics regularly, chances |
| - Discover the movies/plays connection. | | | | aregreat your children will, too. The same goes for |
| That latest flick started somewhere...as a screenplay | | | | anyarea of interest, including reading. This is the |
| ora book. No one would have made a movie about it | | | | easiest,most pain-free parental decision you can |
| had theynot first sat down and thrilled over its pages. | | | | probably make. |
| Challengethem: what other blockbuster stories are | | | | Of course, look for age-appropriate material for |
| your kids missingby not reading? | | | | yourchild and don't be afraid to offer some |
| - Throw a reading party. | | | | suggestions (askyour local librarian for lists of |
| Many schools and libraries are already doing this | | | | age-appropriate booksif you're unsure of where to |
| withgreat success. A 'Read and Feed' means bringing | | | | start.). Switch the TV offand simply read together |
| a goodbook, a pillow, a snack and stretching out on | | | | one or two nights a week and youmight be delighted |
| the floorfor a couple of hours. There are a lot of | | | | with the results! |
| adults thatwould love this one! | | | | ========================= |
| - Read aloud for mastery. | | | | Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips andcreative |
| Have a struggling reader? Remind him we all started | | | | resources to working moms who wantthe most out |
| outthat way. No big deal. Encourage ten minutes a | | | | of their homes, families andcareers at . Signup for our |
| day readingaloud to a younger sibling, a pet, or Mom | | | | free newsletter and get anonline Creativity Toolkit as |
| or Dad. Thispractice can make a big difference in | | | | our gift to you! |
| reading skills, plusboost self-esteem. | | | | |