Resolve to Read!

As each year draws to a close, many of us think about how we want to improve our lives in the coming year. Here are two related ideas for you to consider. Make one of your resolutions the promise to read more—whether books, e-readers, newspapers, magazines—for pleasure . . . for yourself. Fiction or nonfiction? It doesn’t matter. Rediscover for yourself how rewarding it is to spend time with the written word. Second, make a commitment to read to your young child every day, even for a few minutes. Your renewed enthusiasm for reading will be contagious. It is a win-win situation. Happy New Year!

Holiday Shopping Inspiration

If you still have gifts to buy for young children in your life, don’t forget to buy them books!

And if people ask you what your own children need, tell them: BOOKS.

No child can have too many books.

As gifts, books are easy to wrap, inexpensive to ship, and can provide hours and hours of joy. Can you think of a more perfect gift?

Read Routinely

One of the keys to encouraging your child's love of reading, is to make sure it becomes a regular and enjoyable part of each day . . . or night. People who interact with preschoolers know (or find out) that having a time and place and structure is an important feature for helping young children stay organized and calm. So much is happening in their lives--learning new skills, making friends, starting school--that the presence of regular activities and structure is a comfort.

One mother told me that at night she and her husband each read to one of their two children. It is a special time for each child to be with that parent. But there are many ways to structure a routine. A single parent might decide to have a "family read" or spend time individually with each child. The important thing is to make it a regular routine that you and your child will anticipate and enjoy.