Before I even delivered my boys, my husband and I vowed that we would read to our kids from the very beginning of their lives. I incorporated reading time into the bedtime routine when my boys were newborns, reading books like Goodnight Moon or I Love You Stinky Face before putting them down in their cribs. I probably enjoyed this early reading more than they did back then, but I knew getting them used to reading every night would be good for them in the long run.
All that reading continues to pay off. They are easy to put to bed because of our routine, and now my oldest son is taking over some of the reading time. It’s fun to watch the development.
Biz, at four, is becoming more and more interested in how letters are put together to form words. He often writes arbitrary letters on a piece of paper – sometimes forwards and sometimes backwards – and then asks me what words he spelled.
When we received a LeapFrog Tag reading system and book, Biz was elated because he could do the “reading” just like Mom and his brother with his “wand.” And because he’s a huge fan of dinosaurs, he could test his knowledge by playing the games after reading each page of his Leap and the Lost Dinosaur book. He was so proud to take the coveted spot on the bed in between me and his brother at bedtime. In that middle spot, he was the reader.
This month is LeapFrog Reading Month. Reading to your child just 20 minutes a day can make a a big difference. According to the Leapfrog website:
Before I even delivered my boys, my husband and I vowed that we would read to our kids from the very beginning of their lives. I incorporated reading time into the bedtime routine when my boys were newborns, reading books like Studies show that the more children read, the better readers they become. In one study, children who read 20 or more minutes per day scored in or above the 90th percentile; those who read less than 10 minutes scored below the 75th percentile.
Not only does reading to your children make them better future readers, it also helps them become more engaged with the material they are reading. As a writer and lover of books, this is exactly what I want for my kids. The ability to truly enjoy and feel a connection to words.
LeapFrog has been generous enough to offer a very cool prize pack worth approximately $50 to one of my readers. The prize pack includes Tag Leap and the Lost Dinosaur, Tag Get Ready for Kindergarten, Tag Junior Toddler Milestones, Tag Junior Animals Around the World. I’ll make it easy on you to enter. Simply comment on this post and tell me how you incorporate reading to your children in your day to enter the giveaway. You have until Thursday, March 21st to comment and enter.
Even if you don’t win the prize pack, you can get $3 off Tag products right now by visiting this link for a coupon.
Happy Reading!
I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective but content and opinions expressed here are my own. To take the LeapFrog Reading Month pledge, please visit their Facebook page. #LFReadingMonth #spon
Update (3/21/13): The winner of the LeapFrog prize pack was Jody KC!
This is such a timely post! I have been researching the Tag system this week hoping to get one for H. At nearly 4 years old he is a total bookworm. We read 5 books before bed each night (plus an additional 3 on the nights he helps me put G to bed) and it still isn’t enough for him! He is eager to read and knows his letters and sounds, but is really trying to make that leap to the next level. He is able to “read” some of his favorite stories (Brown Bear, Brown Bear & Polar Bear, Polar Bear,) but I think it’s mostly memorization. We’ve started on BOB books, but they aren’t nearly as engaging as a Tag would be where he can get Cars books. When we are out and about in our daily routine, he is frequently spelling words he sees on signs, buildings, cars and I find these teachable moments just get him more excited.
I’m glad you shared your thoughts and info on how this is working in your family. I’ve read tons of reviews of the products posted by people I don’t know, but having this more personal info is wonderful…thanks 🙂
What’s really great about Tag is that, Biz can work with it on his own or with me. He has full control and doesn’t even realize he’s learning. It’s great!
We LOVE reading in our house. In fact sometimes I think we have too many books (I picked up Moo, Baa La, La, La from under the dining room table this morning). Our boys love books and reading. Josh has started to “tell the story” of books he has heard a million times and he is much more interested in finding new books to hear everyday. Levi is OBSESSED with books and at 19 months old can recite Brown Bear. We have actually had times when we couldn’t have book time at his bedtime because he wouldn’t settle and go to sleep….he just wanted more, more, more. Thanks for the post. I wish I had more time for reading myself. It would be nice to read a book without pictures for a change. lol
I so wish I had more time for my own reading as well! It’s funny how they want to read so much before bedtime. It feels weird to cut them off, but they have to get to bed at some point too!
My oldest daughter has had a LeapFrog ‘first laptop,’ and Leapster, and LeapPad along the way (as well as the dreaded LeapFrog ride-on choo choo train that HAD NO OFF SWITCH!).
Anyway, it wasn’t until this past Christmas that we got the TAG for her (now 5) and TAG Jr for her sister (now 2). I really dig these. It is absolutely amazing what the technology does. I don’t think anything will ever replace just reading with your kids combined with the structure of a classroom – but these are pretty impressive.
In fact, Mia did her first complete reading of “Hop on Pop” for her mom last night.
You are right. I think the technology is great, but straight reading is so important. The Tag books make it easy to do both. I often read the books and then Biz will “read” the book with his wand.
And kudos to Mia! One of my favorite books. 🙂
I’ve been thinking about buying these tag books for my three-year-old, who loves letters and is already trying to read. I’ve been very happy with the Leapfrog products I bought so far. I don’t suppose your giveaway is international?
The books are great. Unfortunately, the giveaway is for US residents only. You can use the coupon though!
I 100% believe that reading begets reading. My son was slow to learn to read but the consistency has paid off. Leapfrog has great products!
It’s funny how differently some kids learn. Biz is so visual. When he asks how to write a letter, I write the letter in the air for him. For some reason, it works better than actually writing the letter on paper. He loves the Tag book because it also talks to him. Whatever works!
Not only do I read to my son, but I model my love of reading daily. We also sing or tell stories while he is in the bath to encourage creativity.
That’s awesome, Steph! I love the idea of telling stories in the bath. What fun.
Both my kids used Leap Frog products! My kids have become lovely readers…but we could sure use a push to spend even more time reading. I am going to set up a summer book club with my daughter and her friends!! 🙂
A summer book club is a great idea. I think we all become lax during those warm, carefree months!
As a kid, I was a total bookworm!
Awesome! And now you’re a writer. Seems fitting. 🙂
Since I am an avid reader, I raised all my kids with the love of reading by reading to them when they were young (and I read to my toddler daily) and by taking them to the library to story time, checking out books and ordering books from scholastic
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Just hanging out at the library is a fun way to encourage reading. Love it.
I keep baskets of childrens books in the living room and all bedrooms, and I rotate books in and out so there’s always something new to catch his eye. We read after nap and before bed. We also take a weekly trip to our library which he loves!
The baskets are a great idea, Jenny. Rotating books does keep kids interested. I stole that idea from my son’s daycare. 🙂
We always read at least 2 books before bedtime as well as throughout the day if my son asks me to read to him we do that. Also, we love taking trips to the library!
Fun. What would we do without the library?
Most often it is reading the directions or recipes to make that day’s dinner. My daughter does set a reading goal for the number of book read together during the week
I love that you read recipes. What a great way to encourage reading and helping in the kitchen!
We were just looking at the Tag system for Karalina! We knew the importance of reading but it’s always nice to see the numbers to back it up.
Like your house, reading is a part of the bedtime routine; and, Karalina loves to pick books to pull off the shelf to flip through during playtime. I think she is going to love the independence the Tag program will give her!
I think it’s pretty empowering for them when they can “read” by themselves. Plus there are fun games within the books!
Jennifer- – what a great post! My husband and I read to both of our kids every night before bed – usually for about 30 minutes. This has been our tradition from the start. We also have quiet/rest time after lunch every day – this came out of necessity for my sanity when nap time ended. The kids and I grab books, magazines, or the kids use their Tag readers with headphones and we all snuggle on my bed to recharge and enjoy some down time.
That quiet/rest time sounds great!