Its all about reading ...

Have you ever stopped to think about one of the most important skills (if not THE most important skill) one can acquire?
I am talking about reading of course. Almost every single action we do during our day involves reading.
We read the labels when we shop, we read the signs when we drive, we read our mail and the news (whether electronic or in paper), we read our medical reports and tests results, we get written instructions to operate things, we read professional materials and so on, and so on...
Only when we stop to think about it, we realize what an important part reading takes in our daily life, even before mentioning reading for fun.

I don't believe that anyone can even think about living in the 21st century without being able to read.

But the big questions are:

• How can we make reading much more than a basic skill?
• How can we develop passion for reading in our children?
• How can we turn reading to a meaningful part of their life?

There are so many things we can do in order to make reading a major factor in our children's life.

I will only mention some basic things such as:

• Read books with them every day before bed time, starting at a very young age
• Let them hold books and look at the illustrations
• Ask them questions about the books you read together
• Encourage them to ask questions themselves

I will elaborate on this subject in one of my coming blogs.
Right now I have a different suggestion (on top of all the other activities which are very important). 
Something that will help them bond to books on an emotional level.

• Create books especially for them. Write about:

• subjects from their own lives
• events you want them to remember
• things you want to teach them
• issues they need to deal with

• Dedicate the book to them and add their photos

• Involve your kids in the book creation process

• Let them express their creativity and become young authors

Those will be their own special books that they will cherish forever.
You can do all this staff in a very joyful and user friendly way using batalugu.com.
You can also share your books online with friends and family.

So, have fun reading and writing to and with your kids.
Tell a tale,
Dorit