Read Aloud. Read A Lot.

CNN Article

2012-01-02T15:09:00.001-06:00

I really love this article on the importance of helping our children develop into proficient readers.

http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/16/my-view-give-a-child-a-book-and-open-the-door-to-a-great-future/

It's Been A While..

2011-12-28T09:24:00.002-06:00

It has been a while since my last post because I've added another member to my family and this time it's a little lady! So many new types of "girly" books have been added to the boys' favorites. Fancy Nancy is one of the ones that we received and it's a really fun series. Although I still plan on reading my daughter all of the books that I read to the boys, I still want to add a little "pink" to our collection.

Here is an incredible book list broken down into several categories from Oprah.

http://www.oprah.com/packages/kid-reading-list.html

Chapter Books

2011-06-15T12:26:00.002-05:00

Recently, my two young sons asked me and my husband if we could take them to see "Mr. Popper's Penquins". Although we do enjoy the occasionally family outing to the movie theatre, we thought this was a perfect opportunity to introduce them to chapter books. We told them that we would read a chapter each night and when we were finished, we would all go see the movie. So far, we have completed two chapters. My five-year-old is really enjoying it. He will listen to the book and answer my questions as we read. On the other hand, my two-year-old just thinks it's fun to lay in Mommy and Daddy's bed. He will play while I read but I'm hoping he is also hearing the story. Either way, it's a quiet, family time that is opening thier minds and enhancing their listening comprehension.

My goal is to finish this book and start another chapter book. I want to open my children's minds to visualizing what they read, aka "making a movie in their minds" with the words from the pages. This is an important tool that they will use throughout their education and life.

GREAT ARTICLE

2011-01-27T19:21:00.003-06:00

Here is a great article I found from Reading Rockets. It tells us how important it is to read to our children and gives a few tips on how to make it a success!

Also, playing games, such as Scrabble or Uno, with your children can increase their letter and number recognition skills. Go for some educational, family fun!

NEW YEAR

2011-01-02T18:46:00.002-06:00

Now that we are all making New Year's Resolutions, let's all pledge to read to a child! Reading aloud to children is critical to helping a child learn how to read, make a connection to text and improve his or her listening skills. Most important, it is helping that child see the importance of reading and how fun it can be!!!

New We the Peepers APP for your iPhone, iTouch, iPod or iPod

2010-09-29T15:15:00.002-05:00

Check it out!!! An interactive APP perfect for kids! It's fun and children can learn about opposites! It's free until Oct. 1st.

EVERY CHILD NEEDS BOOKS TO READ

2010-09-29T15:07:00.002-05:00

While watching Oprah, I learned that Target is taking on reading. You can go to this website, pledge to read to a child and Target will donate books to children in need. Every child needs to be read to as it makes them aware that words connect to meaning and opens up their world to new places! Please pledge that you will read to a child. If you don't have children, you can read to a niece, nephew, cousin or even a friend's child. You will get to see how reading aloud to a child lights up their world!

http://reading.target.com/?ref=sr_shorturl_reading

A World of Reading

2010-08-18T15:19:00.002-05:00

With my job as a private reading tutor, I get to learn new information on reading every day. Lately, in the articles that I read, people are discussing the world of information and how to use that as a tool to teach how important reading is to our children. Every day, we are bombarded by information in magazines, newspapers, on signs and on-line. So not only can we read books to children, but we can also read from the numerous sources of information available to us each day. Exposing children to non-fiction material opens up their minds to new experiences and information about the world around them. Next time, you are sitting down to read an article, try to find one that is age-appropriate for your child and share it with him or her!

Rip-Roarin' Love of Books

2010-06-01T15:09:00.002-05:00

My ALMOST two-year old's interest in books is on fire! His favorite books right now are board books, specifically HUG and GOODNIGHT GORILLA. It is also fun for me because I can make the story as short or as long as possible. The books are filled with vividly colored pictures that I use to make up the story as we turn the pages. In addition, we can also have a brief dialogue because he will repeat the words to me as I say the words that he recognizes.

Not only is he interested in reading books but he's also interested in RIPPING books. He likes to rip any type of paper that he can get his hands on. That is why I am, from now on, ONLY leaving board books in his bed :)

Growing Up to Enjoy Reading

2010-04-01T14:37:00.003-05:00

My almost 2-year-old has been pulling books off the shelves and bringing them to me, my husband and/or our sitter. It puts a smile on my face because I can tell that he's caught the "reading bug". It's exciting to know that he looks forward to seeing the pictures and hearing the words from the story. I remember feeling a little disheartened when he would lose interest after 30 seconds into the story, but now his attention span is increasing and we can actually get through a short board book. Very exciting!!!

Reading is Relaxing

2010-01-07T19:51:00.002-06:00

Before bedtime, I enjoy reading because not only does it let me escape from the day but it relaxes me so that I fall asleep faster. I've noticed the same goes for both of my children...the rambunctious boys. My 18-month old can't talk but once I go to the book shelf and pull out a book, he coos or giggles to show that he is excited about me reading to him. I find that if I read to him before bedtime or nap-time, he goes to bed quieter than if I don't read to him. This makes me happy as I'm excited to spark the interest in reading that my 4-year-old already has.

Reading-aloud vs. Watching Cartoons

2009-12-14T15:14:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure I'd enter this debate on a blog that is designed to promote the love of reading-aloud to children, but I would like to weigh in on the many different ways there are to reinforce a love for reading aloud. Whether the book or the animated feature comes first (Disney's Lady and the Tramp comes to my mind because it was the first movie I ever saw), one does make the other come to life in the form of a child's imagination or by the thrill of seeing the people, animals or characters move, talk, sing or dance. Author Jim Trelease wrote one of my parenting bibles, entitled The Read Aloud Handbook and in it he calls television the "plug in drug." No doubt, it can be, but some of the most clever, non-violent, unique stories on children's television today can be used by parents and care-givers to reinforce the stories that children have already read or the ones that they want to read next time they go the library.

For the Love of Reading

2009-12-13T15:36:00.002-06:00

The other day, my sons had awaken from their naps and sat down at the kitchen table for their snacks. My younger one was sitting in his high chair when my older son said, "I'm going to move him over to me so I can read to him." I was pleasantly surprised by this. My older son got up from his chair, moved my younger son next to his seat and started pointing out pictures of animals in a board book. It was precious. I couldn't get the video camera working fast enough. Not only was this a fun memory, but it also made me feel proud that I have passed my love of reading onto my son...so much so that he wanted to read to his brother.

Recently...

2009-11-06T14:47:00.002-06:00

I've recently had surgery that doesn't allow me to pick up my children. Prior to surgery, I didn't think it would be a big deal. However, it's heart-wrenching not to be able to pick them up to hug them or playfully swing them around.
During my recuperation, I have found reading helps me bond with them. My 4-year-old selects the books, brings them to me and sits on my lap while I read to him. As always, it's fun to see his interest and excitement with each turn of the page. I have attempted it with my 1-year-old but we only get through one or two pages. To me, the amount of pages doesn't matter, as long as I'm finding someway to bond with him. Reading to my children has allowed me to do this whether I'm able to hold them or not.

Thinking (about reading) out loud...

2009-09-28T10:52:00.005-05:00

When I think about reading aloud to children, I can't help but remember the books that I read over and over and over to my children. They come floating back like a pleasant dream and I probably can remember passages from them all. Were some of them the mainstream popular books like Goodnight Moon, Mother Goose Rhymes or any and all of the Disney stories? Yes, they were. But they also included gems that we found at Goodwill book sales (The Flying Chair), or by subscribing to the free books displayed in pediatrician's offices (Al Perkins' Hand, Hand Fingers, Thumb), or finding little-known books written by popular writers like Tommie de Paola (Pancakes for Breakfast). I am sure I read that one alone hundreds of times - and it has no words!

My greatest negotiating skills came into play at bedtime - determining how many books we would read before it was time to turn out the lights. On any given night, the children would select 7 or 8, I would counter with 2 and we would end up somewhere around 3 or 4. As any parent knows, it can be hard "not" to read to an eager child who struggles with a tower of books that he or she wants you to read. My parenting guilt often overrode my desire to tuck them in, turn out the light and take some "me" time. I almost always succumbed to nestling in between two freshly scrubbed children, poised with blankies and thumbs, ready for reading. It still makes me smile to remember one of my son's first two-word sentences..."read book." And this past summer, as I helped him unpack his dozens of boxes of books in his new apartment before he had to go buy yet another bookcase, I knew that spending five more minutes, reading "just one more" book paid off like I never could have imagined!

Hard to Juggle One with the Other

2009-09-21T21:45:00.003-05:00

I'm sure any mother of two or more agrees that reading to children is hard when there is another child/children who don't care to listen to the story that you are reading. Yesterday we were in the playroom, when my 4-year-old wanted me to read a book to him. Knowing that my 1-year-old wouldn't sit and listen to this book, I tried to read in an area that I know he would enjoy playing in. While reading to my son, the younger one would come over and say "HI" and then walk away. As long as I acknowledged him, he would be fine. There was one time where I didn't, in which he proceeded to try and grab the book out of my hands. Even though it wasn't the most ideal situation to read aloud in (I prefer a quiet setting), I was happy that both of my sons enjoyed the experience as much as I did.

Happy Reading!

Where the Sidewalk Ends

2009-09-01T14:37:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend, my son had his 4th birthday. Whoa! How time flies! My thoughtful cousin gave him the book, "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein. Originally, I thought, "Hmm, I wonder if he'll like it. Maybe I'll have to set that aside for a couple of years." Boy, was I wrong!!

Today at naptime, he said, "Mommy, you pick out the book." I ran to grab "Where the Sidewalk Ends". I flipped through the book of short stories and poems and found a title that was catchy, "Ickle Me Pickle Me Tickle Me Too". He LOVED IT! After I finished that poem, I read others. While reading aloud, I would stop and say, "Isn't that silly?" Or, "Why do you think he felt that way?" about a specific character in one of the stories. After 10 poems/stories, it was time for him to go to bed and he was still asking for more. Now I know what book to have by his bedside because it's just as fun for me too!

The end of the "Reading Rainbow"

2009-08-28T13:14:00.004-05:00

My son, Conor, emailed me the sad news that "Reading Rainbow" will be going off the air today after 26 years. Conor as a child was a devoted viewer and as an adult recalled stories and books that had left a lasting impression. I know that it was just one of the pieces of the puzzle that has made him a lover of the written word and a lifelong reader and writer.

To those of you who are new parents, "Reading Rainbow" took a look at a book and led the viewer on a related adventure. It didn't preach; it didn't teach phonics and spelling. What it did do was impart a love of reading and an appreciation for a good book through good literature. It instilled an excitement and curiosity in pre- and early readers. Being able to read does not ensure a love of reading or a lifelong reader; reading good books does. (Of course, one does need to be taught to read to get the most out of a book. Now if we can just meet in the middle between the hardcore phonics folks with the literature lovers...)

But enough preaching. If you're a fan of RR - past or present - you may wish to write to the PBS affiliate in Buffalo WNED. Email John Grant, Chief of Program and Production Officer at: Viewerservices@wned.org. I bet he'd be glad to hear from you.

Happy reading!

Another first!

2009-08-25T09:46:00.006-05:00

When you're celebrating the many firsts in your child's life, don't forget another important one - their first library card. Even though we checked out stacks of books on a weekly basis while my children were toddlers and preschoolers, nothing matched the excitement of applying for and receiving and using that first library card to check out their very own books. In our neck of the woods, you simply need to be able to write your own name in order to apply for a card. I recall practicing with Conor and Carey and Austin so they could officially sign on the dotted line. It was a big deal and a big day.

September just happens to be "Library Card Sign-up Month" at your local library. As you're loading up on pencils and crayons and paper and binders, remember that your library card is the most important school supply of all.

Getting my library card was like citizenship;
it was like American citizenship.
Oprah Winfrey

Peepers Make the Papers!

2009-08-18T08:25:00.007-05:00

While I wanted my second blog entry to be about ways to encourage an early love of reading; the timely publishing of an article last week about the Peepers trumped my original intentions. It's a terrific article including comments from all three of our "Read Aloud, Read A Lot" bloggers. So take a "peep".

Peepers in Vienna

Sisters publish children’s book series.

By Donna Manz, The Connection
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Last summer, art teacher Sandy Pugh of Vienna got a "zany" idea.

In her 2008 July art camp, Pugh taught her students that ink splatters can be transformed into cut-and-paste creatures with enormous peeping eyes and colorful striped legs. A Peeper does not have so much a body as it does a ziggety-zaggety head with legs attached to it. Read more...

Read to Find Information

2009-08-06T10:39:00.002-05:00

We all know that reading is for enjoyment, but what enjoyment do we get out of it if we don't understand what we are reading? Reading for information can be taught to children from the beginning. While reading to a child, the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY, WHEN and HOW questions can be asked using pictures and/or information from the story. Depending on how old the child is, you can use pictures to help facilitate the answer as well as point to the character's name in the text. My favorite thing to do with my 3-year-old and my students is to ask them to predict what will happen next. Sometimes, I get the answer, "I don't know", but I don't stop there. I give them two scenarios to choose from. This gets the motors in his brain turning about what might happen next when I turn the page.

As a reading tutor, I work with many children to help develop their reading comprehension. A simple way for parents to help facilitate the reading comprehension is to stop and ask questions while reading. A little bit of time doing this with your child goes a loooong way.

Happy Reading!!

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

2009-07-29T20:45:00.002-05:00

Recently, I was in a bookstore and was looking around in the children's section. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed it..., "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs". An immediate smile came to my face as memories of that book from my childhood flashed in my mind. How cool is it that one book can bring back such fun, innocent memories from my childhood!!! After purchasing it and reading it to my son, I now understand why I loved it so much. It's as much fun reading it to him and seeing his expressions and hearing his questions as it was listening to it when I was a child. AND...I just found out that it's coming out as a movie. SO SO SO glad that I was able to share it with him in book form before the movie came out :)

CHECK OUT the author, SANDY PUGH, reading her 2nd book, "I Say...You Say"

2009-07-24T13:35:00.002-05:00

Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvddv5Srsyw

Let's "open up a book!"

2009-07-22T08:30:00.002-05:00

Years ago when I was reading aloud at our local library, I would signal the start of storytime by singing (and if any of you know my vocal stylings, you know that I use the term "singing" very loosely) a little poem that I made up to the tune of "Row, row, row your boat". It goes like this:

"Read, read, read with me;
Listen, learn and look.
You can see what fun it is
Just open up a book!"

(The optional motions are: "me" = point to yourself; "listen" = cup behind your ears; "look" = make glasses for your eyes; "you" = point to your read aloud buddy; "book" = put 2 hands together (as in prayer) and open.)

I have always used this little ditty whenever I read to a group - large or small. I sing it today to my little learners when I have a special art book or story that's specifically related to our art project for the day. It signals them to focus on this special time.

It might be fun to try it with your own reading buddies. They'll hear the melodic strains of your voice and come running - knowing what fun is in store. They may even start singing it back to you when it's time for a story...

SHARE YOUR STORIES

2009-07-21T14:18:00.001-05:00

In honor of our launch, I want to encourage you to SHARE YOUR READ ALOUD EXPERIENCES with everyone. Do you have a favorite memory of someone reading to you? Do you have any personal tips on what you do when you read aloud to someone? All are welcome!!!

2009-07-15T14:52:00.011-05:00

Welcome to Read Aloud. Read Alot.!!

We are very enthusiastic to be launching this blog about a concept near and dear to my heart. As a child, I remember my parents reading to me every night before I went to bed. Exhausted from a long day at work, my dad would sometimes fall asleep while reading, but he didn't miss a night. At the time, I didn't appreciate what my parents were doing for me but now I get it!!!

I see the importance of reading aloud everytime I read to my children, each time I see a student's eyes light up for an "aha" moment and even when I find 5 minutes to myself to sit and relax with a good read.

Read Aloud. Read Alot. is a tool for everyone interested in reading to their children or children they know. I wanted to report a strong statistic here but decided to just state, that reading aloud to children is fun! But most important, it's fun FOR THEM. It helps them to understand where words come from and why people use the words we do. Reading aloud builds a lifelong interest in reading and READING IS THE GATEWAY TO THE WORLD!!!

The goal of this blog is to create a place where anyone interested in reading to children can visit as well as share tips and experiences on reading aloud. We encourage feedback and look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Keep on reading!

A NEW read-aloud ABC book

2009-07-03T11:35:00.000-05:00

We are ecstatic to announce that We The Peepers' first book by Sandy Pugh is now published and available! "A Peeper in My Pocket" is an ideal read-aloud ABC book. You can purchase your copy at amazon.com or by visiting our website www.wethepeepers.com. A fantastic, unique gift for your children, grandchildren, niece or nephew!!!