Reading the Same Book to Your Child, Over and Over Again

When my son was little he always wanted me to read the same book, over and over and over again, until I couldn't take it anymore.  At the time I would make other suggestions.  I would think to myself, please anything but Goodnight Moon AGAIN!  But he always won, and we would read it again.

Fastforward nine years to when my second child was a year old.  I was older now, and having a child changed me, so I was a different person.  I thought it was fun to read the same book over and over and over again.  Only this time it was any book by Sandra Boynton.  My daughter loved these books and we would read them for hours.  We would look and talk about the pictures.  It didn't take long for us to memorize those books.

Since that time another 8 years has passed, and now I have a 2 year old who loves to listen to stories and look at books.  I find it funny that after almost 18 years I can still recite Goodnight Moon from memory.  But, as I read this book to my daughter recently, it got me thinking.  Reading builds language skills.  It also opens a doorway to literacy.  But, I think, most importantly it builds a bond between you and your child.  It shows them you know just how important reading is.

Why Reading Books Upside Down is Normal

I have caught my youngest children reading their books upside down so many times that I could not count them.  I have said, "You're book is upside down." and they disagree.  I have flipped books around for them and it is almost like they don't notice or the seem to look at it differently.  Why is this?

To your child the images on the page look normal.  Their mind sees the aesthetics of the artwork and is not concerned about directionality.  Research with infants has also shown that when images of faces are inverted, their focus moves from the facial features such as nose and mouth to the outward features such as the edges of the face, hair and even eyes.  This suggests that when children look at books upside down, they are simply exploring them in different way. 

Inverted reading at a young age in no way indicates any type of learning disability as research indicates so far.  However, inverted reading and writing has been used to help older children with reading difficulties.

Since reading is primarily a visual task with some verbal processing, studies have been conducted that include orientation but all studies include school age children with some understanding of the Concepts about Print. 

Concepts about print is one of the first tests a teacher gives a student when entering school, usually in Kindergarten.  The tests are often informal and are usually done through observation only.  Some tests are formal and recording is specific and special books are used as with Marie Clay's Concept of Print Analysis.
The analysis used in the early years of learning simply help determine how much a child understands about how books and text in books work. 

What does this mean for you as a parent of a toddler...

• Give yourself a pat on the back because you are exposing your child to books!
• Don't sweat directionality, children are just exploring and their brain is working hard.
• To increase Concept of Print, read to your toddler or pre-schooler books that are age appropriate and of interest often.
• Don't forget that a child's brain understands the images he is looking at even if you don't understand why or how.

 Now, put your child on your lap and read.

ABC Bean Bags

Head over to DancyDoodle to check out the bean bags I made for my oldest daughter not long ago. I made extra bags for all of the vowels so when she starts spelling words we can use them as well. She had really enjoyed playing with them... not only for the letters that are on them but also to make different games with them.

Appropriate Reading For Your Child's Reading Level NOT Grade Level

Do you ever visit your local library with your school age child and wonder which books are appropriate reading levels?  I know I do.  Let's set aside what grade your child is in.  Grade level truly has nothing to do with your child's reading level or potential.  What you need to know in order to help your child grow in his or her reading skills is the instructional level at which your child reads.  This is the level which your child reads with help.  Do not leave your child to read alone at his or her instructional level.  Anything above instructional level should not be attempted at all.  The second thing you need to know, is your child's independent reading level.  This is the level at which your child should read alone, for the enjoyment of reading and for practice.  Reading on an independent level is the most important level of reading for your child.  Reading on this level builds confidence, fluency and word knowledge.

FREE Sight Word Game Download

Craft Nectar has this fabulous sight word game that you can download and customize.  Her amazing husband with his amazing skills developed this scrabble game to help children memorize and learn their sight words.  Download yours here.

Beautiful Handmade Alphabet Magnets

Nice Girl Notes has come up with a beautiful way to make your own refrigerator magnets that aren't tacky and obnoxious.  You'll love this simple project and your children will love building words with them.

Letter Tiles for Word Building

I know how expensive letter tiles can be.  I also featured another idea for building words with letters here.  However, how beautiful are these that you can make at home and use over and over to promote word building skills.  Visit inspired ideas for the how to.

Family Name Tracing

This is an easy way to practice letter formation and make it meaningful.  Visit Katie's Nesting Spot for the how too.

Typewriter as a Toy

I read about this idea and I loved it.  Next time you run across an old typewriter, consider this for your children. Give them a stack of paper and show them how to use it. Then let their imaginations go wild. They can practice typing words or sentences, copying from a book, or making fun patterns and drawings by manipulating spacing.

Image: Bloesem Kids
Idea Courtesy of Ohdeedoh

Letterboxing: Encouraging a Child to Write

Over at Wee Folk Art you can read all about how her kids participate in "Letterboxing" or in other words, a scavenger hunt.  I love this idea to promote literacy skills in older children.  Check out her incredibly creative post.

Rag Quilt Letters You Can Make

Visit Happy Together for the free tutorial and patterns for these beautiful letters.  What better way to encourage letter knowledge than to give them letters to play with.

The Bookcase Series 9

I am quickly becoming a huge fan of forward facing book shelves.  As a matter of fact, this ingenious design makes me want to turn my book case into one of these.  Isn't it lovely.  Click this link to learn more about the designer and how to build it.

5 Books to Inspire

These books have been recommend for boys ages 4-8.  The books will inspire them to dream big and use their imagination.  No home should be without an inspiring book such as these.

1
The Incredible Book Eating Boy By Oliver Jeffers ($18.99). The boy
wants to be really smart; the smartest person on earth in fact. Eventually he
discovers that reading books, rather than actually eating them, might be the way
to go. This remarkable and imaginative book is now even more intriguing in its
new intricate and surprising pop-up version.

Alphabet Banners

Make your own alphabet banner with familiar words, names or even the whole alphabet.  Download the free template from Dollar Store Crafts.  I don't even have to tell you how adorable this is and can be made for less than $1.

Great Book Series for the Whole Family

Carrie McBride is quickly becoming one of my favorite blog authors when it comes to promoting literacy.  She is not only passionate about reading but we apparently have the same taste in literature.  Check out her suggestions for book series that every family should own.

Literacy with Mess Free Painting

This is a great way to have your child practice writing letters using gross motor skills and the kinesthetic experience will help your little one better retain the practiced letters.  Visit here to learn more.

Create a Writing Center

Research has shown that children naturally mimic what they see in their natural environment.  If children see their parents or teachers taking notes or writing letters, they will naturally want to do the same.  So, give your child a place that will encourage and hone writing skills.  Giddy Giddy shows how she organized a writing desk for her child.  Visit her blog to see how she did it.

DIY Magnetic Board

Every early childhood educator knows how useful these boards can be.  Random Thoughs of a Superhero shows us how easy it is to make a magnetic board in our kitchen so that little ones can play with their letters and not dirty up those stainless steal appliances with finger prints.   Another alternative is a stainless cookie sheet but this one is so much more classy.

Reach Out and Read Book Drive

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at 6 months of age. The 3.9 million families served annually by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers.

Their Mission

Books for Baby, Baby Shower or anytime!

Talk about promoting early literacy!  My heart literally skipped a beat when I saw these cupcakes.  I am thinking that this is a great idea for a baby shower as it was meant to be but a brillant idea as well for the first day of school.  Children and adults alike are going to flip for these little cupcake tops and PinkTea is offering the download to make these for free!  Go there now and give her a shout and a thank you for this fabulous idea.