Raising a Reader: Book Reading Routine for Toddlers

Reading is one of the many things I want my little boy to love. Since he was a baby I would read to him his books and it also made us bonded together. I make it a point that once everday is that he geta to read one of his books. We also read before bed time and he looks forward to t everytime. 

Last week, it was amazing to see how my little boy chooses books over toys at an event we went to. He could not let go of the book and he realy seemed to enjoy it. It just shows how our book reading routines at home are rubbed unto him. 

This one just made it to a "Mom Proud Moment" again and I know all my investements in buying his books paid off. Hopefully, he'll continue to love and enjoy books until he grows old. 

              Enzo's Mini Library

We actually started with just about three books and now it has grown to these. He enjoys all his books and it is such a joy when I see him grab a book anytime within the day. Now that means more books for him soon!;) If you want to get tips on what books to buy for your toddler, you my want to read my previous post about it here: http://www.thereyoujho.com/2015/04/raising-reader-beginner-books-for.html?m=1

Now, I'd be sharing with all of your book reading routines we do at home that you might find useful as well. 

1. Read a book to your child once a day. It depends on your schedule when you can best fit book reading to your child as long as you do it. Regardless if your child understands it pr not the earlier you expose them to books the earlier the will form a love and interest to it.

2. Always finish reading the book to your child. This might be difficult at first as they do not understand or they get distracted easily, but it is advisable for you to finish it however long it will take. This will teach your child to be still until the end of the story and will learn to anticipate for the story.

3. Be animated. To encourage your child to be interested in books and stories, you must be a storyteller as well. The graphics can help your child to visualize but the hearing part depends on you. Use different voices so they can imagine more of the story. This can wnhance imagination and visualization skills of your child too.

4. Let your child have his or her own book experience. In our house, we let Enzo hold and touch his books. This gives him a hands on experience of the books and teaches him the right way of holding it and even the flipping of the pages. These are in fact emergent literacy skills that a child should learn and develop. Thus a personal book experience if positive encouragea love for reading. Now we let him pick his own books during story time and he even gives each of us his parents our own books to read. 

5. Teach different concept and words while reading. It is amazing how my little boy learned some of his first words through reading. It was because I told him about the pictures on the book and repeated the words several times even if he could not say it just yet. I got surprised one reading day that he was starting to say the words on his own. Reading time is an opportunity for parents to introduce more words and concepts that they could understand better with the help of books.

6. Put the books where the child can have easy access to it. Being able to get and choose their books can encourage a child's interest in reading. The more the child sees it the more he or she will pay attention to it and spend time with the books. 

7. Be a role model. Our children take on after us. If they see us reading and enjoying a book, they would imitate us. This then plays a vital role in a child's interest on books and reading. So if your little one has a mini library, might as well have one of yours as well. I do this but mine's in a different place in the house, but I see to it that he sees me reading too.

8. Make time for book reading. Some days may be busy but always make time for reading a book to yor child, if you must read a book before bed time because it does not only help the child learn but it creates attachment between the parent and the child. This is what matters most in book reading routines, the bonding and closeness it forms that will create precious memories. The child can now associate book reading into a joyful and positive experience which will make the child love reading even more.

Whatever book reading routine you have what is important is that time and effort is spent to your children. Make readig enjoyable and interesting to your child and eventually he or she would develop a love for books and reading. The memories and moments create in book reading gives chidren a positive and joyful experience that will affect their interest and love for books in the future. 

What is you and your child's book reqding routine? Please share them wih me too!;)

Ogalala Playtime: Baby Einstein's Splash and Giggle Bath Book

Bath time is something Enzo looks forward to everyday. He loves the water that much that everytime we tell him it's "Ligo Time" he'd happily agree and excitedly walks to the bathroom. 

And because he enjoys his bath time, the hubby and I make sure that it also becomes a learning experience for him. Thankfully, after attending Ogalala's Child Development Workshop, we have another lesson to teach little Enzo.

Let me share with you Baby Einstein's Water, Water, Everywhere: A Splash and Giggle Bath Book. 

Information and Ideas for parents:

Turn a rainy day into a day of discovery. Take a walk with your child on a rainy day and find a puddle. Place a stick in the center of the puddle to see how much water it has collected.

Help your child experience the effects of rain through the sense of touch. Durin your rainy-day ealk, look and touch the nearby trees and branches. Shake some branches and show your child what happens to the rain that has collected on the leaves.

Enzo and I have not done the suggested activities yet but I am planning to do it soon or whenever I think he'll be ready to walk in the rain. In the meantime, here's how we used the book.

So what we did was to tell the story after he took a bath and let him stay in the water for a while. While reading the book I asked him about the animals in the photo and what sounds do they make. 

On the first page he knew the words bird, ball, and flower. We are now introducing him to a new animal, Octopus. 

The last page is his favorite as he can relate to the photo of the octopus taking a bath. He already knows how to wash his head and body while using the water. 

Raves about the book:

The material is safe. It does not smell anything like plastic. It is made of Polyutherane foam inside and PVC outside. I think it is the same material used in floaters for kids.

Colorful illustration. Colors used are bright and easy for parents to teach. The colors and drawings add excitement to the book.

The concept about water introduces the concept of nature which can open up a lot of topics for parents to teach their children.

Durable and stain resistant. It easily dries up after bath time and soft to bring even before bedtime.

Introduces rhyme ans rhtyhm at the same time develop hand and eye coordination. It also enhances emerent literacy and love for books.

A book to bring in the bath is such an amazing idea. It was something I haven't encountered before and have never been allowed to do when I was a child. Lucky Enzo!;)

So, we both enjoy the boy in or outside the water but it definitely made bath time wven more exciting for Enzo. Thank you Baby Einstein and Ogalala World!;)

For more Baby Einstein products visit the Ogalala Shop located at L4 East Wing EDSA Shangrila Plaza Mall. You may also shop online at www.oga-lala.com

Raising a Reader: Beginner Books for Toddlers

As a booklover myself I intend to consciously raise my son to become a reader. I want him to have a love for books anf of discovering the world through reading. I got my love for books for my Mom as well, growing up I saw her always with a book at home. She spent countless hours reading and collecting books from her favorite authors. Thru her I also started my own collections from fairy tales, horror, suspense to young adult books. She supported my love for reading and I thank her for that.

Now that we are in a digital age, children are confronted with gadgets, internet, and mass media. It seems its easier to learn from it but for me it hinders creativity and imagination. This is the reason I see to it that little Enzo has a lot of time spent on books.

A growing library of Enzo

In choosing books for toddlers, it is important to consider if it is age appropriate. Toddlers have short attention span so a book for beginners need to be short in pages and in content.

Beginning Beginner Books

Look for that sign with Dr. Seuss

Has short texts and colorful illustrations

The B Book

Bought these books at Chapter Pages in Trinoma for Php65.00 each. Dr. Seuss books are best for beginner readers and these are really a steal. 

Baby Einsteins books are best for toddlers as well. Just make sure to check the age target of the books so you know if it is appropriate for your tots. You can introduce a lot of concepts using this book like counting, colors, animals and a lot more.

A favorite bedtime story since Enzo was a baby, Guess How Much I Love You is a great story and has all the feels for a parent-child relationshio. This was a gift from Enzo's godmother bought from Fully Booked.

A Use-Your-Words Feeling Book helps little children to identify and express their feelings. It builds emotional language skills to enhance children's understanding of their own and others' feelings. These books were also gifts from relatives and friends and bought from National Bookstore.

When choosing books for toddlers always consider the age appropriation, colorful and easy to understand illustration, and composition of the book itself. It is also best to bring them to the bookstore so they can choose and find their interest.

Also remember that parenting is role modeling. They will be a reader if they see that their parents love it as well.

What's your latest storybook for you child at the moment?

7 Things Every Wife Should Know Book Review

I rarely talk about my journey as a wife in this blog than I should. The reason is that I feel I am more a natural about my mother role than this wife thing. I must admit, being married for only 1 year and 9 months there are a lot of things I don't know and is still working on. I had to adjust a lot of things like my "semi-bratty" attitude and learn compromising. There are times I learn more about my wife duties the hard way, sometimes leading to petty fights or cute tampuhab with hubby. This marriage thing is really more than little adjustments and it takes a lot of work indeed.

Luckily, I got my hands on a book that has served as my new partner in realizinv my full potential as a wife. Am I glad to have read it? Glad is an understatement!

7 Things Every Wife Should Know by Viviene Bigornia is every new or  almost wife's bestfriend. Viviene is a blogger from www.journeyofawoman.com and her geart's desire is to minister to single women and young wives to be more Christlike and to reach their full potential for God's glory.

Why this book's going to be your bestfriend?
1. It will affirm you that you are doing well if not your best as a wife.
2. It is a reminder of small things matter the most in relationships especially marriage.
3. It provide practical and feasible tips.
4. You would understand God's plan for you as a wife to your husband.

There are more reasons for new and almost wives to read this book but I won't spoil it for you. Rest assured that after reading this you will be a TRIUMPHant Wife to your husband and God.

And to give you more opportunity to get your hands on this book, Viviene is giving 15% discount just for you, my readers. Just send her an email at teacher_viviene@yahoo.com with the subject line 15% off up until the end of the month of February plus FREE shipping nationwide.

It's a great gift suggestions for your friends who are engaged to be married, to already wives and for yourself too. So give the gift of education and live a happy life as a wife.

For more information on this book:
 http://www.journeyofawoman.com/books 
 http://www.amazon.com/Things-Every-Wife-Should-Know/dp/1470163551 

EVENT: The Wonderful World of Why not with Ogalala System in Play

As a mom and teacher, I believe that children are unique learners. Being in the academe for eight years have taught me that students learn differently. I have students who learns well with visual aids and movies, while others learn from books and reading. Consequently, I have to adjust my teaching methods to cater to their learning styles. But, speaking as a mom, I also want my baby son to learn as much as he can as early as now. Though, I know how to teach college students, I know its a whole different world in teaching infants and soon-to-be toddlers. Luckily, I had the opportunity to attend the Ogalala System in Play Workshop session last Sunday in Toy Kingdom, SM Megamall.

I was ecstatic to be in the workshop and to bring my baby as well. It was a learning opportunity for me to learn how to teach my baby through play. So we arrived early in the venue so we had the chance to take some photos.

Video documentaries were shown before the event started. It was about breastfeeding and its benefits to babies. 

The session started with the introduction of Ogalala System and its benefits to children and parents as well.

What is Ogalala?

Derived from the native American Indian terms for an underwater irrigation system, Ogalala brings forth life for kids in form of play, fashion, and exploration. It is a portfolio of global play and fashion brands. 

But with the numerous brands in the market, it is somehow challenging for parents to purchase toys or developmental books that would address the stages of children's development. 

So, Why Ogalala?

The company recognizes that parents, like us, would like our children to be happy and fulfilled. In line with this, the company also believes that play and creativity enables kids to enjoy learning and love life. 

According to Maye Yao Co Say, COO of Internationale Globale Marques Inc (IGM):

"We know that dads and moms today have very busy schedules and would not have time to read all the good developmental books in the market. Being a mom of 2, I also know that although kids have a multimedia world now, our kids always look forward to their times of bonding and connection with their parents. My husband and I try our best to maximize our bonding time with Meagan and Marcus with meaningful play time since they were babies."

The workshop, however, was about the Ogalala System in Play: 

It is an advocacy for fun and learning that addresses each child's development areas. 

Teacher Maia explained the development stages of children starting from infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and grade schoolers. Being a preschool and special education teacher for eight years, she already is an expert in the development stages of children. 

There are four development areas for children which are: Social and emotional development, Physical Development, Language Development, and Intellectual Development.The Ogalala System in Play exactly addresses this need. It has been developed to help identify important milestones and tools that will help support our child's development, while at the same time helping us bond with them.  

There is also an Ogalala System in Play schedule that parents can use as a guide to teach their children. You can print it for free in www.oga-lala.com just make sure to indicate the age level of your children. There are morning and afternoon tasks that parents can do everyday which will address skills necessary for that age. 

Teacher Maia taught us how to teach the morning session task to our babies: 

Morning: Story Time. Read a 5 minute story and vary your tones. 

Morning: Card Game. Choose 3 flash cards to show baby. 

Afternoon: Stacking. Introduce concept of stacking blocks.

Look, how happy he is with the Melissa and Doug Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks!:)

After the activities, participants were allowed to ask questions. Then certificates were given with food and freebies. 

 

Toys for infants:

Toys for preschoolers

Toys for gradeschoolers

As a parent and a teacher, it's nice to have someone or a company that cares not only for my children but also to me as a parent. I also loved that there are products that I can go to whatever age my child is and that I also can guide them through it. So if you want to be an ogalala advocate like us, sign up now and open your own and child's eyes to the wonderful world of why not!

Ogalala sign up form

 

For more information on Ogalala System and Play, and their products, visit:

www.oga-lala.com

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