A Book

I was recently asked to speak at a homeschooling meeting on a panel of homeschooling moms. I was given a questionaire guideline prior to the meeting on the topics I was to address. One of the questions asked, "What single thing about homeschooling do you enjoy the most?" That was easy. I knew my answer. Besides the fact that I just love to spend time with my kids everyday, the thing I enjoy the most is the time I spend reading aloud with them. Before I left for the meeting, I asked my daughter, Joy, that same question. Her answer was "when you read to me." That's Joy in the picture below.

If you're thinking....but my child is older now...he or she can read books for themselves....why should I be reading aloud to them....you're missing the point, and more importantly a real blessing. It's the sharing of a book together that is so special. Grab a snack, get comfortable, snuggle up with your kids and give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. You'll be making memories that will last a lifetime! To put it plain and simple, reading together as a family is a bonding experience.


Though I suspected it before, I am now convinced that if your children see that you value the written word, it will cultivate a love of reading in them. Reading aloud with your children grows lifetime readers, I believe.


We've always put a great deal of value on books in our home. Since our kids were babies, they've been exposed to books everywhere. We have built a library over the years. We have shelves and baskets all over the house. We've read to them from babies to teenager. When they were preschoolers, we would tell them how exciting it would be when they learned to read and could read anything and read to us! All they've ever known is that reading is fun and they both couldn't wait until they could do so themselves. Teaching them to read to me rated right along beside watching them walk for the first time or hearing their first words! And now, there's usually a book beside their bed and it goes along with them if they have to wait anywhere for any length of time....in the car...at an appointment, etc.


I believe if you can read, you can learn anything. Reading definitely feeds the imagination and opens up worlds of learning and opportunities. In fact, broad reading also equals broad vocabulary and most often, develops a good writer too.


Our 9 year old daughter, Joy, summed it (reading) all up in a poem she wrote one evening (on her own time). She brought it to share with her dad and me. She was 8 at the time. I couldn't have said it any better. I'd love to share it with you.

A Book

When I get a book down from our library upstairs,

I hold the whole world in my hands.

A book is a door.

When you go in, you're enchanted.

A book is like a favored painting,

That draws you to itself and captures you.

A book.