My sweet Zoe Cate is an absolute doll baby!! While she is definitely a firecracker, she has a sweet, loving side, too. Today we were trying to kill 30 minutes before nap time. We went to the library earlier this week and picked out some new books to read. Shea and I were in the floor reading some books, while Zoe Cate played around us and every now and then sat on my lap to hear the story.* While we were reading, Zoe Cate made her way down the hall to Shea's room and came back carrying one of Shea's trains. She had the BIGGEST grin on her face as she handed it to Shea. Shea and I both thanked her and told her what a sweet girl she was and off she went...back down the hall! We repeated this process until she had brought him 5 of his train cars. IT WAS PRECIOUS! The grin on her face each time she toddled around the corner just melted my heart. As most moms do, I tried to make this a learning experience for them both but especially Shea. He has the tendency to be a little rough with Zoe Cate and doesn't always 'share' like he should. I used this moment to try and impress on his heart that she just REALLY loves her big brother and wanted to make him happy by bringing him some of his favorite toys. Did I get through!? Who knows!! For a brief moment though they were both so pleased with each other and this
Momma's heart almost burst from the love I feel for them!! I'm so blessed and so grateful to God that I get to be with these children every day!
*Zoe Cate is not near as in to books as Shea was at her age. However, I read to her every day and while sometimes she'll sit on my lap and interact, I continue to read to her while she roams around where ever we happen to be at the time. I'm not sure what else to do!? I know how important reading is in life and I feel like her at least hearing me read a book she'll pick up on the rhythm of speech? Any educators who might happen on this entry [LEA!! :)] care to chime in??
4 comments:
Rebecca,
You are such a wonderful mother and writer!
Shea and Zoe Cate are such sweet babies.
They are blessed to have you and Eric for parents.
Love,
Gigi
Aw, I got so excited when I saw my name in your blog! :) Ha! You are doing great sweet Mommy!! Just the exposure to books and hearing them (even while roaming around) will do wonders! Scott was never one to sit and listen as intently to books as Tyler was but Scott is one smart cookie now. Maybe ask her to pick out a book for you to read. Also, make sure the books she/you choose are really short since attention spans at this age are so short. Those are just some suggestions but you are awesome to keep on trying!!! She's getting it more than you know! I always wondered if Scott really knew anything and finally at 3 1/2 to 4 he shines through with things I didn't even know he knew! It's amazing! Keep it up!
Keep reading girl she's hearing you!! Love your blog!! :)
Okay without getting too "teachery" on you...here is my take...reading to your children at early ages is important because:
1.) It teaches them to value books.
2.) They begin to understand that books hold meaning within stories.
3.) They hear the fluency of your voice which helps with speech development.
4.) They learn that meaning is in pictures as well as in the words.
5.) They learn about concepts of print like...at the simplest level not holding the book upside down. There are kindergarten students that have to be taught that.
5.) They learn that you value reading by going to the library and taking time to read to them. When they get older make getting a new book a reward for something special.
All of this can happen when you are snuggled up together or not. It is awesome that you are reading at home. When kids start school it is very easy to tell which children have had exposure to books...keep up the good work.
:) Jessica (The Reading Nerd)
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