I’ve always had this romantic idea of going to the library with my daughter, checking out a classic chapter book, and reading a chapter each night before bed. She’s two, so it’s not really time for that yet, but I decided to jump the gun and give it a whirl.
I got a read-aloud copy of Charlotte’s Web and told Ellen we would be reading it at bedtime. The first night was mostly fielding questions about why we couldn’t finish the book in one night, what chapters are, character names, etc. Things you don’t realize that need to be entered into a child’s schema.
She may not be grasping the entire plot or really understand everything that is going on from night to night, but in subsequent nights, she has remembered character names, asked plot questions, and asked to keep the book in bed with her so she could flip through the pages.
She even goes down easier when she has some snuggle time with her momma. And, after I head downstairs, I can hear her up there reading to her dolls until she just can’t hold her eyes open a second longer.
And all of that up there? That is the romance I am talking about. A girl and her love for a book. I guess I’m calling this a parenting win and never looking back.
So, you got to the bottom of this post and thought, “Wait, where is the punchline? Where did she fall flat on her face? Where is the joke? The backfire?” You can stop looking because it’s actually been a pretty sweet deal.
Ladies and gentlemAn (I am fairly certain there must only be one), this is actually working for us. So far, it has made bedtime more, well, enjoyable. I didn’t know I could put those words together, and I am not completely certain I should (are we all knocking on wood on my behalf?). But, we’re going to stick with it.
So, what’s the point of all of this? Why am I telling you this? I suppose it’s Monday, and I am reaching for something to write. Or perhaps there is some merit to getting ahead of ourselves and trying something that our kids aren’t supposed to be ready for. Maybe they will not get out of it what we might intend, but you might be pleasantly surprised at what does come of it.
That’s all. On with your day.
Oh, wait. Check out Fine Linen and Purple and The Annery (Do you care that I keep calling it that??) to win a necklace from my Etsy shop. xxoo
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Yes to all of the above. My husband reads a chapter of Little House to my soon to be 3 year old every night. They finished Little House in the Big Woods and are on Little House on the Prairie. And that oven-roasted chicken we had for dinner was identified as a roast prairie hen, Wilder-style for the win.
I love it, and thanks for sharing. Your successes and wins are much more important than the trials and mistakes, even if thoes make for a funnier blog post! I’m so happy to hear and maybe I can start reading to my 21 month old, it’s never to young to start loving reading!
Jenna- I’m glad you’re enjoying reading together! I love our family story-time. Even now, my girls are 7 and 9 (and my 9 year old is a very strong reader), and we still do read-aloud time together. It’s so fun! And as they grow, you’ll find favorites together, and have interests to share…It’s great!
Haha, this is so true. All of it. Usually I have these grand ideas of all the children listening at my feet, and what really happens is I spend the whole reading time yelling at everyone to stop moving, stop hitting your brother, stop interrupting me every two words! I’m a saint.
We haven’t conquered chapter books yet, but we have had a consistent bedtime routine that always includes a book (board book, in our case), a prayer, and a song. We have done that since she was 3 or 4 months old. We do the same for naps. I love it, even if it is the 134567th time I’ve read the book. She is a bookworm, and they go into the crib with her also. Maybe in a few months, we’ll start chapter books! Glad to hear how it’s working out for you.
p.s. you don’t have to justify why you write something without a punchline.
I loooove how the chapter books find their way into pretend play with John Paul and Cecilia, and one reason I really want to start reading the Little House books with them is solely because I know that it’ll be AWESOME to see how they play pretend with it :)
Love it! You’ve inspired me to try chapter books with my girls; although I’m not sure how they’ll react to not have having Strawberry Shortcake’s Cinderella or Snow White read to them. :) I’m sure it will be fine! :)
I actually didn’t understand the title of this post! But I’m glad you have had success with it!