How to Use Children's Story Books to Make Your Child Calmer and Happier
In the last 2 years my grandchildren have learned to read and beg to read to us. They have discovered that there are many places that can be visited in a children's story book. That there are many stories that can transport them to another place and time.
Each child likes to have a turn in reading a story and when it is Alexandra the 4 year old's turn, she always follows with her finger and tries to read it the best she can. We all help her but she ends up making up most of the story.
What a great family time we have together, reading and helping her read. I wouldn't want to miss it for the world. It is really great that as grandparents we get to have an extended family.
This reading time each night has brought our family so much closer together. The oldest boy is 7 and sometimes he has time to read one of the kids books while we make breakfast in the mornings.
Then they all sit at the kitchen bar and each one takes turns reading jokes from their new book store. I just bought them at the book fair this year. This is a morning thing. This we find, has made them so happy and excited to get to the breakfast bar so they can read to us.
Also, the jokes get them in a great mood for the day. No more mornings rushing around in bad moods just trying to wake up. Yes, books outweigh the TV and video games any day. The kids are in a much better mood all the time.
When I went to the North Shore Lighthouse in Hawaii this last trip, I bought a bedtime book reviews with a CD. Last night I sat with the grandkids and we listened while the oldest boy followed in the book with his finger on each word.
Alexandra was so tired she could hardly keep her head up. She has only turned 4. Then there was a lullaby in Hawaiian and then English. This book was so soothing she really had to fight to stay awake. As soon as it finished she wanted to take it to bed with her.
I put it in her little CD player by her bed, and I got in bed beside her. She went to sleep and as it finished she mumbled, "Please play it again." I did. And every time I went into her room to check on her, I pushed the button to play it again. Even though she was asleep I knew she was enjoying it.
The next morning at 5:30 am she woke up her parents to get them to listen to it with her. She loves that story and she said she wants to "listen to it every night". This is so much better than watching TV while she is falling asleep.
I am so happy that I got the kids books instead of toys to bring back to them. I travel to Hawaii many times and I always bring back stories of the Hawaiian culture and the sea animals so they can learn something new about another part of the world.
Ever since we have started this children's story book reading at night, the kids have cut way down in video games and TV. At first it was difficult for them, but now; they wouldn't go back to the way they were. They would rather read a book and they are so much happier. There is way less arguing and no more nightmares. The entire family has become helpful to each other and we, the adults are, well, ecstatic.
So, our family has come to believe - and live all those rumors about how reading children books are far better for the child than TV. I think it is better for the adults also. But, then, I grew up reading all the time. I notice I am way happier with less TV and more reading. So, Reading has a really good effect on the entire family. Life is so fun! Let's read more!