SmarterChild
The first time I saw my child, I was in awe, I felt incredible love for her and knew that I’d do anything for her. She was beautiful. I immediately began to make big plans for her. After all, who doesn’t want to see their child become super successful? I wanted, and still want for her to invent a cure for cancer, be the first person on Mars, or be the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs of her generation. I decided right then to give her every advantage I could. I would make sure that she had all the tools necessary to make her mark in the world. Next, I wondered where I should start.
I started by reading to her every day. Reading to her was the first brick in the foundation of her success in school, and the first step to her becoming a smarterchild. From my experience, it’s never too early to start reading stories to your child. I’ve heard that you can even read to them while they’re still in mommies belly.
Babies can look at pictures and hear the sound of your voice. Therefore, you should read with emotion, and your tone should show how the characters interact with each other. This will teach them valuable communication skills they’ll use all their life.
Reading and Bonding With Your Kids
Reading to Day was a bonding experience for her and me. I’d point out things in the pictures, and she would gurgle her approval. Also, I would tell her the names of things in the pictures, sometimes repeating them several times to get her to associate the person, place or thing in the picture with its name. I would also point to the word so she would start to associate the word with what was in the picture. These were marvelous moments, and I delighted in our time together
Together we read books like Horton Hears a Who, Charlotte’s Web, The Cat in The Hat and Cinderella. Reading together brought us closer together. The effects of our time together are still felt today, as she starts her senior year of High School.
SmarterChild and Vocabulary
Reading to her super-charged the growth of her vocabulary. Once on vacation, when she was about three years old I left her at my Mom’s house in Kansas City and went to hang-out, my cousin. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it back by Days deadline, so she got my mother to call me by telling her, “my daddy is the most important thing in my life, and I don’t like it when he’s gone.” Naturally, I left my cousin’s house shortly after getting her call. Early reading to her helped her to express herself clearly. Reading shows kids how words should go together, form ideas, express feelings and get their point across in a logical way.
Reading to your kids early also gives them a head start by teaching them the purpose of books, and shows them that books are fun. Fostering a love of reading is one of the most important things you could ever do for your child. Reading is where it all starts. You can’t learn science or math unless you read well.
Don’t Pass Go
Someone once told me a grim urban legend, that government officials could calculate how many prison beds they would need in the future, based on third grade reading scores. You can read more about that here, Prison and Third Grade Reading Scores.
One of the best things I did for her was to subscribe to National Geographic Kids magazine, I would read it to Day and she’d get a kick out of the brilliant, original photographs. The articles were educational and very entertaining. She learned a great deal effortlessly, and it was fun. After she became older, I also subscribed to National Geographic magazine, the regular edition.
I remember how reading National Geographic magazine when I was younger expanded my view of the world. Thanks, Mom. Day also likes to read National Geographic magazine. The magazine has articles about geography, science, history and world culture. It is also well-known for stunning, dramatic photographs. I know that she doesn’t read all the stories in the magazine, but she reads many of them and in the process learns many things about our planet and ourselves
With your help, your child can start a lifelong fascination with books. “Reading is Fundamental,” The nation’s largest nonprofit children’s literacy organization has the name for a reason.
There it is, I have given you one of the primary tools I have used to help our daughter. I’m applauding the results and thought I’d share how to have a smarterchild with you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend
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