Swing into Spring!

The changing of seasons is a wonderful time to talk with children about nature and its wonders. Here are some ideas for celebrating spring with your child: 

Take a walk outdoors–in the country, the city, or in-between. Buds appear on  tree branches. Green shoots pop up. Flowers emerge from the soil. Point out these signs of new life and explain that spring is the season of new beginnings. At home, draw pictures of what you saw on your walk. Try some creative writing! Together, write a poem about spring. Rhyming poems are especially fun to write and then read aloud. Luckily there are lots of great words that rhyme with the word "spring" that your child might include in a poem. Here are some: bring, cling, ding, king, ring, sing, sting, string, swing, thing, wing

Poems may be as simple as:

I am the king,

the king of spring!

or

Let's swing,

and then sing

about spring!  

Have fun celebrating spring with poetry!

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY: Join the Celebration

Parents, caregivers, teachers, librarians:

On February 5, LitWorld, a worldwide literacy organization, is celebrating the 15th birthday of World Read Aloud Day (WRAD). Reading aloud is a dynamic and fulfilling experience for all involved; it creates an inclusive and satisfying bond among participants. In the past, people from more than 170 countries have joined in to participate in this day, devoted to the practice of reading aloud. In fact, during past celebrations, the WRAD hashtag has been one of the highest trending on social media. Find out how you can participate–at home, in a classroom, a library, wherever!

#WorldReadAloudDay  @litworld.org

Never Too Young!

Babies and books? Even if your little one doesn't understand the content of what's on the page in front of her, simply introducing her to the conventions of holding, examining, handling a book is a learning opportunity. Most of your infant's world is three-dimensional–the people, toys, pets, furniture in her surroundings. She can touch them, even lick them (!),  and experience the real world around her. Looking at print, which is two-dimensional, is going to be an essential lifelong skill. So beyond the actual content of the pages, you are giving her early exposure to the realm of print and illustration. How wonderful is that?

We’re Back!

 It has been some time. But now it is time to get back to Mad for Reading! 

The reading education landscape has been changing. Think: AI, all kinds of screens, and a pivot to emphasizing the teaching of phonics in school. Big changes! 

However, Mad for Reading is still–and always will be–devoted to the idea that reading with children of all ages is so important for their emotional development and is also a predictor of a lifelong love of reading and learning.  

So stay tuned for new posts about reading with children!   

With love,

Mad for Reading 

 PS  Please share your photos of children (first names only) reading–with friends, babies, adults, dogs, stuffies …

 PPS   Guest posts are welcome. Let me know!