What I'm Reading

I love Alison Jay's beautiful illustrations - can you tell?!

In our household, we ADORE books! It probably has something to do with the fact that we are both teachers, but honestly we have SO, SO many books. Sage had a ready made library in our spare room, long before she was born!

When guiding my Kinder children through their learning journey's, books not only enhanced their knowledge, but they also heightened and enriched their creativity and imaginations throughout our 'play-based learning' program.

Reading aloud is incredibly valuable (almost essential) in developing children's early literacy (reading, writing and speaking) but most importantly, the bond and relationships that are created through sharing stories together -- and the subsequent conversations to be had -- are priceless.

a small selection of the books we read to Sage on a very regular basis - their rhyme and repetition are perfect for early literacy development

We started reading to Sage while she was in utero and even now, at her young age, she is already showing a love and enjoyment for snuggling up and listening to stories. She focuses on the pictures, reaches for the 'touch and feel' fabrics and 'helps' turn the pages and lift the flaps. We try and read to her at least 3 times a day, with 2 books at each session. Such a special experience to share with our little girl.

Here are some handy hints for reading to your child by Mem Fox (author of Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Where is the Green Sheep? and many more favourites!)

Mem Fox’s Ten Read Aloud Commandments

1.      Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud.

2.      Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.

3.      Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don’t be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.

4.      Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.

5.      Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.

6.      Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.

7.      Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.

8.      Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous game.

9.      Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.

10.  Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it’s the right thing to do.

{From Mem Fox's fantastic website}


After a slight diversion, back to the assigned photo...

what I'm reading - Photo a Day, May