Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Since it is Dr. Seuss's birthday, I thought this column from the Radford News Journal a few years ago is especially significant. It's all about reading, and I even employ a little Seussian style. Enjoy!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

By Steve Frey

Did you celebrate yesterday? It was Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Friday, and children throughout America celebrated both his birthday and “Read Across America!”

Some dressed up as storybook characters, some had special reading activities planned at school, but all around the country, a special emphasis was placed on the importance of reading.

You may have dreams, and you’ll probably go far, but if you’re not reading, there’s no gas in your car. Yes, without reading ability, which is a gateway skill for all of the other subject areas, you’re kind of stalled out.

That is why this special day exists. Dr. Seuss is associated with early childhood reading. His characters are well known and beloved. Focusing on the importance of reading for a child’s future on Dr. Seuss’s birthday go together like, well, Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Parents, you can build on “Read Across America’s” momentum by reading with your children every day at home.

The earlier you start, the farther they’ll go, so read to your children, and they’ll grow, grow, grow!

Every school, every teacher, and every principal will beg you to read with your children for at least fifteen minutes every day. Whether you read a story before bed or after dinner doesn’t matter.

What does is the fact that you are reading to them. You should actually read to them beginning at a very early age. There is a national organization called, “Readers From Birth,” that encourages parents to read with children beginning when they are infants, the age of greatest brain development.

Did you know that there is empirical evidence that proves that reading to your children at home is one of the best things that you can do to ensure future academic success?

There’s a place you can go, where dreams do come true; you just need a card, and the door’s open for you. Yes, visit the public library regularly. Spend time choosing books to read every week.

Our local libraries are magical places for our children with thousands of books to take them to far-off adventures, games and toys to spark imagination, computers to explore the riches of technology, and reading programs conducted by dedicated staff members eager to enchant children with the magic of books.

There’s no better gift than a book in their hands, so make sure to plan, and that’s where they’ll land. Fill your home with books. Find out through your reading with them, visits to the library, and discussions, your children’s favorite books and themes.

Look for books in the library, in the bookstore, at yard sales, at flea markets, through school book clubs, or wherever. Just do whatever you can to get books into the hands of your children.

Many parents make sure that for every holiday—Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, Easter, whatever—that a book is one of the gifts children will receive. As they get older, don’t forget there are magazines and other materials to read.

Look for a book series. Sometimes authors will write many books based on the same characters. If you find a series your children enjoy, look for more books by the same author. Again, find an interest and feed it.

At first, you are reading, and you’re doing it all, but soon your child’s ready, and you pass him the ball. At some point, your children will want to read, too. Congratulations, you are making the transition to your children beginning to be able to read independently!

However, don’t stop reading together. You might take turns and read paragraphs or pages. Help them “sound out” words when they get stuck. When they are ready to pick up more and more you will know. Keep reading together even when they begin reading silently to themselves. This is your special reading time together, so cherish it!

Talk about words, books, and events, so one day they’ll say, “Oh, that’s what that meant.” Have great discussions. Talk with your children all the time.

Talk about history, science, current events, new words they hear (This can be very interesting as they get older!), the books you’re reading together, shows or movies you see—everything.

The greater the oral vocabulary and background knowledge your children have, the more connections they will make in reading and discussions. Don’t be afraid to use the “big” words for things. Children are amazing at what they can learn and retain!

When they see you reading, they know it’s important, and Dads, get involved, it’s not just Mom’s department. Show your children that reading is important to you, too.

Read books, magazines, this newspaper, the Kindle, or any other reading material, but read. Children often begin valuing what you value, so showing that you value reading, that it is important to you, helps children feel it is important, period.

Yes, Dads should be just as involved in reading as Moms. Hey, don’t leave out Gram, Gramps, or Aunty Bea; everyone in the home can get involved!

Reading together or taking turns is a great way to share the experience and fun of reading.

You’re snuggling together, with your book and a light, and the love that you feel burns brighter than bright. You are doing something you love with the children that you love.

Your children will associate reading with a very special time with you. Reading will become something they love, because you are bonding together, talking about the books, characters, and events in the books.

You are developing a warm, safe little world that for a period of time each day is filled with just you two and the books that you love.

Dr. Seuss’s birthday has come and has gone, but the focus on reading has only begun. We thank all our teachers, our Moms, and our Dads, for joining together to make reading “rad!” “Read Across America” is more than a day, it’s a reminder to get books without a delay.

To fill our homes full, so books are around, to save 15 minutes with nary a sound, ‘cept you or me reading on the couch or the ground. Oh, the places we’ll go, and the things that we’ll see, when I read to you, and you read to me!

Let’s “Read Across the NRV”—today and every day, and don’t forget, the time you spend reading with your child is the most important 15 minutes of your day.

They’re only young once, and time tends to run, so make reading special, filled with love, books, and fun!

Steve Frey is a writer and CEO of Ascendant Educational Services, based in Radford.