Have a Toddler? READ, READ, READ Aloud…Then Read Aloud Some More

I enjoyed reading to my children and I really enjoy reading to my grandchildren. In my day (Ouch, I never thought I would say those words!) reading was fun. It was what we did with small children. We had no electronic distractions, no large shopping malls, and our favorite outing was an afternoon at the library. I never worried about “reading readiness”, probably because I don’t recall ever hearing that term until I entered college to become a teacher.

Today I am known in my family as the grandmother who always has time for one more book. I love that distinction. In fact, my ten grandchildren were the inspiration behind - and my reason for writing - my books, The Knot Fairy and The Sock Fairy.

So if you have a toddler, and if you are wondering about reading readiness, these buzz words may have you in a tizzy. Many parents worry that they are not doing enough to make sure their child is ready for school. While educational experts agree that preschool-aged children benefit greatly from participating in reading readiness activities, these activities should be enjoyable – both to the parent and the child. Don’t stress and don’t think your child needs to be reading novels by age 3. (Even if your neighbor is insisting that her 3-year old is halfway through Harry Potter.) Readiness is just that – helping your child to become ready to read. There are many easy ways that you can provide opportunities that will help encourage a book-positive attitude in your child. Here are a few easy, no-stress ways to do this:

· Start reading to children before they can talk. This is so important to language development.
· Read to your children every day and they will be more likely to want to read.
· Read in front of your children so they will know that reading is a part of your routine.
· Read alphabet books to them and help them identify the sounds of letters and words.
· Make a special place in your home for children to keep their own books.
· Encourage toddlers to hold the books and turn the pages themselves, teaching them at an early age how to care for books and to be gentle with things of value.
· Choose books that have bright colors, shapes, and lots of new vocabulary words.
· Read lots of rhyming books to toddlers. Rhymes are easy for children to memorize and repeat, allowing children to pretend they are actually reading.
· When you come to a new word, have the child repeat it with you.
· Help your child memorize nursery rhymes. Repeat them over and over together, enjoying the rhythm and the rhyming patterns.
· Read a page, then cover one of the pictures on that page and encourage the child to identify the missing item.
· Work on pre-reading skills by having early readers “read” the book to you by “reading” the pictures.
· Make an afternoon at the library an enjoyable outing. Bring home lots of books.
· Most important of all – Smile and enjoy your time with your precious toddler. They grow so fast.

A Fairy Tale is Born

My first cookbook was published in 1980, launching an exciting career in the world of food. I taught cooking classes and traveled all over as a featured speaker and guest on radio and TV shows. I even appeared on the Regis Philbin show. (That’s really my biggest claim to fame.) The result was a total of seven successful cookbooks and a totally burned-out author. So, I decided it was time to slow down and enjoy the wonderful time of life I fondly refer to as “grandmotherhood”.

All was peaceful, until three years ago…

My new career started on an ordinary day, in an ordinary way. I was simply brushing my twin granddaughters’ hair. One of the girls was distressed about the mass of knots and tangles in her beautiful, but very curly tresses. I found myself doing something that having ten grandchildren has taught me to do well - making up stories to divert the girls’ attention. I told the twins about a tiny fairy who flies into children’s rooms at night and delights in tangling their hair. It worked! No more tears and no more tangles. Later that day the girls and I sat down together, wrote the entire story and decided to call it The Knot Fairy. I never imagined that this was the beginning of a new and very exciting adventure. The adventure actually catapulted into a career a few days later when I innocently said to the girls, “Why don’t we turn this story into a book?” Oops, that just slipped out. I didn’t mean to say it. Now what? I couldn’t back out. I could never disappoint my grandkids. And so, a fairy tale was born.

Anyway, this seemed like the perfect time to re-invent my career. My bachelor’s degree in education and my minor in children’s literature were calling to me to re-enter the book world. As I fast-forward to today, three years later, and only one year after the release of The Knot Fairy, I am happy to report that the book has been the recipient of two children’s book awards and a selection on the esteemed BookSense Childrens’ Pick List. In addition, the book is now a finalist in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards. It seems that the mystery of tangled hair is a popular dilemma that crosses all ages and ethnic boundaries.

Now, in keeping with my theme of explaining some of the deeper mysteries of life, I am pleased to announce that my second book., The Sock Fairy will be arriving this Spring. Yes, everyone has been visited by this mischievous little sprite. He’s the one (yes, a little boy fairy) who is responsible for missing socks, mismatched socks, and the occasional hole in the toe.

So, just remember - when life’s little mysteries have you baffled – who better to blame it on than a fairy?