Ever since my oldest, who is now 17, was a little bitty baby, I would read to her and all the kids that followed. I have a slight obsession with books and tend to buy them before other necessities and when we started homeschooling, I wanted to find a way to include dad in the scenario. I decided it would be great for him to do a "reading time" every evening. Hubby came from a non-reading family so this was new to him, but he gave it a go. For years he has read, almost every night, to the kids. He has read Little House (the whole series), Winnie the Pooh, 21 Balloons, and the list goes on. It has been heavenly for the, now older kids, to have memories and reminisce about all of the stories dad has read. It has been a great, yet very simple way to incorporate dad into the homeschool experience. Coming from the single, working mother home that I did, it always brings tears to my eyes and a reassurance when other stresses press in, that my kids at least have a daddy that takes the time to read to them. It's a bonding that can't be replaced and has helped instill a love of reading in ALL of my kids. I just can't recommend it enough.
And if this is a new idea to you, and you need some jump starting, here are a few awesome read aloud ideas to get you started:
The Francis collection by Russell Hoban These make all of us giggle every single time!
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne "A very long time ago, about last Friday" -one of the best written lines ever!
Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois This is one of my all time favorite books!
Hank the Cowboy has always been a favorite as well. Especially on Summer nights outside or while camping!
And if you think your kids are too old to read to them, give it a try. You would be surprised how interested they get with a bucket of popcorn and the right book!
