What does Darkest Peru mean to you?
If you’re a parent and you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution, I’ve got one for you.
Read to your child.
The benefits of reading to your child are immense. Remember, I’m not one of these kill your television kind of types. I like TV and my daughter watches things like Sesame Street, Peep and the Big Wide World and Martha Speaks. But most of all she loves to read.
We read every night before she goes to bed. She’s now asking to read when she gets up as well. Every week we go to the local library and pick out books. She’ll jump up and down with glee when we agree to go to Barnes & Noble.
The National Education Association has the following to say on reading to your child.
Reading aloud to children is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child’s chance of reading success.
Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., Editor-In-Chief at Medem says “Reading is one instance where you truly can never have too much of a good thing.” Her article cites some frightening statistics.
it is estimated that 50 percent of toddlers are not read to on a regular basis and that 40 percent of 4th graders are reading below grade level.
On Reading To Your Child has a great collection of links to tips, editorials, research and editorials. Yet, even more important than all the studies or data collected is the time you spend with your child. Time spent exploring, using your imagination and creativity. Don’t miss out on this! Trust me, other things can wait.
So, here are a few of my favorites in case you’re in need of suggested reading.
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson
Not A Box by Antoinette Portis
Bears in Pairs by Niki Yektai
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake by Barbara Park
A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
Watership Down by Richard Adams
I’ve arranged these titles by age. I’m better on the young stuff since my daughter is now four years old. Nevertheless, Junie B. Jones is a consistent hit and you can’t go wrong with Watership Down for an older child. And if you read Paddington you’ll understand the reference to Darkest Peru.
Happy reading to you (and to your child) in the New Year.
January 1st, 2009 at 10:35 pm
The darkest Peru means the best part of Peru: is where all Peruvians live. You see, we Peruvians are dark by nature, our skin is brown, black, redish… we are way dark. Yeah baby.
Oh and the author of the Paddington bear, he was a racist dude, you know white people think dark is bad. Even their Bible says so.
Happy New Year, from a dark Peruvian.
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 am
Frog and Toad are friends is a great book for a child to grow up on!
September 27th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Being this is “Used Books” let’s not forget the classics that are still amazingly appreciated by preschoolers and early learners: Where the Wild Things Are. Clifford the Dog. and of course, Madeline are all well written and keep kids glued to the story! Madeline DVDs are great as well. I found a good resource here: http://santa.net/santa-claus-christmas-blog/2009/09/27/best-christmas-present-children-books/