Matthew's top read: Green Eggs and Ham

At the moment, my four year old son, Matthew, and I are enjoying reading 'Green Eggs and Ham'. I actively encourage him to shout out the lines that he remembers, and he always enjoys raising the volume!

For example, I get him to shout 'Sam-I-AM!' at the relevant part. If he doesn't remember it, I point at him and he remembers, giggles, and then shouts it out.

I also try to get Matthew to guess the next word. 'For example, 'I would not, could not, with a mouse, I would not, could not, with a...' (point at my son) and he usually guesses 'house'. If he gets it wrong, we just laugh; if he gets it right, I make a fuss of what a clever boy he is.

I also encourage Matthew to make up his own sentences when reading the book. For example, I ask him 'What would you like to happen next? Something beginning with p...'

'PUMPKIN!' is a possible answer from him. I know it's not the right one according to the book, but I'm trying to teach him about sounds and letters.

It is a good way to encourage his memory and self-confidence, as well as encouraging his interest in reading. He begs for books at bedtime and throughout the day, which is great.

I think I would like to build a family that reads together and shares books. If I can interest him in reading, then I hope that we will always have a hobby in common. Also, when he's a teenager, if I know he's safe at home reading a book - even one night a week - then I know where he is, and what he's doing. By encouraging him to read, I hope to ensure that he has a lifetime hobby, something that he can always go back to.

As for me, I have lived and worked all over the world. When I arrived somewhere new, I always attempted to find my local library and museums since I always felt at home there, regardless of the place in the world that I happened to be at that time. For my son, I would like him to have the same gift: the ability to feel at home in museums or libraries, regardless of wherever in the world he happens to be.

Reading is such a loving, important but simple gift to give a child. Big things start from small books!

in Bookstart | literacy | Childrens (under 5) | reading to your baby |