Sunday, July 15, 2012

On the laps of their parents

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." Emilie Buchwald

I love this quote! (I know, I am a little “quote” crazy at the moment - forgive me.) But doesn’t it say it all? 

Last blog post touched on the importance and worth of reading, and the joy of becoming a lifelong reader, but how do we get our kids on that path?

Reading to your child from an early age is most definitely the first step.

It is one of the most wonderful ways to develop positive attitudes to reading. And I believe there is no better way for a child to discover the magic and power of story, to engage their imaginations and for reading to be associated with feelings of warmth, nurturing, security and love than, as Emilie so eloquently put it, "on the laps of their parents".

In the National Year of Reading, let’s have three cheers for the parents out there who are laying this important foundation, so their children have the best chance of becoming lifelong readers – so they too can say one day: I love2read.


4 comments:

  1. Hip Hip Hooray!! Good advice, Sue.
    And do it now before they grow up! How I miss those special 'on the laps of his parents'' times with our little boy. Bit harder to do now he's almost 25. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. They grow up too soon, don't they! I suppose that's what grandchildren are for - but not yet, for me anyhow!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I had a great moment recently when my six-year-old grabbed a chapter book and started reading it by himself on the couch. All those years of reading to him finally paid off and he realised that it was something he could do for enjoyment on his own.

    Now I have to work on my next two littlies!! Nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks, Megan. And congrats on the new reader in your family! It is a magical moment, isn't it.

    ReplyDelete