I think as a parent you’ve probably heard that you should read to your children. It’s pretty common advice and you may even have read some of the reasons why it’s good, studies that have been done about it and even book lists of recommended stories to read to children. I really appreciate advice like this. But one thing we’re often not advised on is HOW to read to children.
When reading to my three year old sometimes it is hard to get past one page. He has a commentary or question about everything. I used to get frustrated and shush him so I could keep reading and finish the story. Until I read Bev Bos’ recommendations about Valuing Interruptions. This is what she has to say about reading in particular,
“The object isn’t the story itself: it’s the child’s response to the story- especially a verbalized response – that we should be after most of the time.”
Wow! That turned it all upside down. I had been making the story the main thing, not the involvement of my children in the story.
When asked what do when children interrupt, Bev Bos says, “My answer is that if the interruption doesn’t happen, it is very likely that learning isn’t happening. We need to translate interruption as the child’s entering the process. If we genuinely believe language development is at the heart of the learning process, then we must allow time. Not only allowing for, but planning for interruptions is our whole purpose.”
So next time you’re reading to your child and he interrupts – you can smile knowing that he’s learning, he’s entering the process and sharing in the experience of the story with you.
There was a very brief time when my daughter would sit still long enough for me to read a whole book. But, now she won’t. She want so “read” it (she’s 2 yrs). I figure it’s good she’s interested in books and will let me read to her again some day.
I’m sure she will!
Great advice! I do get frustrated when my 2yo wants to close the book or skip around to pages, but over all, I don’t mind taking time on each page to talk about what we see.
Wonderful post and important reminder!
Thanks Momma Jorje!
I so needed this today. Reading together has been … choppy lately. Not just interruptions about the story but leaving it altogether to start playing something else. I think I have to remember to enter where Mikko’s at in the moment instead of concentrating on my “goal” of finishing a book. (Though sometimes I just have to read the rest quietly to myself to find out how it ends!)
That is so funny ~ I do the same thing! Our biggest struggle with reading right now is with our almost 2 year old who actually interrupts and tries to grab the book away while I’m reading to the other boys. I think that this is a difficult age for stories for this age group – he is starting to get better and enjoy it more. He’ll bring a book to me and say, “boo” but rarely make it through the whole thing – unless it’s bedtime and he’s sleepy in which case he will listen to story after story. But they will get there, if we are patient and just keep it fun and joyful, pretty soon they will be insatiable. I’ve seen it happen with each of my other three boys, so I’m sure it will happen for Koa (and Mikko) and too!
Love it.
I love when I have a whole group of kids who ALL want to comment on the same thing. I love that connection making.
I love that too ~ it’s so cute!