My favorite children's books

I am a huge advocate for reading to your child. Research has proven many important benefits come from reading aloud to your child. A few important ones I have found are as follows

• Reading aloud helps to bond the parent and child


• Being read to helps a child to understand the purpose of the printed word.


• Being read to builds a child's vocabulary beyond what he is able to read for himself, and provides the background for a new reader to recognize new words he is decoding because he knows what they mean.


• Being read to helps a young child learn the connection between the written and printed word.


• Being read to entices a child into an exciting world of learning and entertainment
  
• Being read to helps a child absorb great amounts of information about the world and how it works, especially if parents lead children into discussing what is read.
  
• Being read to develops listening skills.


• Reading books aloud gives the family an alternative to the media for entertainment.

Through work and class requirements I have spent many, many hours in preschool and k-3 classes. It is interesting to note that I could usually tell within a few minutes of working with a child if their parents spent one-on-one time with them at home reading or working on homework with them. It makes a difference. It really does. Books are also a great way to work through problems that your child is dealing with. When we had Ali, Emma and I spent a lot of time reading stories about new babies and big sisters. We have also spent time reading stories about potty training, sharing, not hitting, etc.

So now that I have stood on my soap box (whats that mean anyway?) and preached about something I am passionate about I am going to share some of my favorite children's books with you.

This book is entertaining but heart wrenching. It really makes you, as a parent, see things a little different.

Good ol' Dr. Seuss. I love how this book is all about the highs and lows we face in life.

This is my absolute favorite children's book. An essential for any little girl.

I read this book to my kids almost every night. Its a fun way to get wiggles out before bedtime.

These are only a handful of my favorites, I could go on and on but I figured I have bored you long enough. Not to mention Mindy is probably now completely convinced that I am in fact a nerd, hehe. Anyway, if you have any favorites please feel free to share in the comments section.