tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post8678426407066119921..comments2024-03-10T04:26:08.070-04:00Comments on The Susquehanna Writers: Starting EarlyCate Mastershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-32146681198593735872009-07-23T20:03:50.955-04:002009-07-23T20:03:50.955-04:00We read to them from starting in utero, too. We s...We read to them from starting in utero, too. We still read to them. Oldest is ten, and they're all heavy readers on their own, usually one book at a time until they're done, but not always. I hope it continues.Ella Drakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00065576682504057608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-75280161426531581332009-07-23T15:47:27.190-04:002009-07-23T15:47:27.190-04:00Sometimes as an avid reader, it's difficult to...Sometimes as an avid reader, it's difficult to understand how anyone doesn't enjoy it as much as we do. I do know people who grew into their love of reading, but I think most readers start early. And hearing how different children respond to the same early exposure really points out how little we actually understand personality development and nature versus nurture. Thanks for the comments. It's so interesting to read other people's experience. As a teacher, I sometimes wish I could pull parents like you two into parenting classes as guest speakers.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-33474870259461493092009-07-23T12:05:08.005-04:002009-07-23T12:05:08.005-04:00Same here, WT, my husband read to them in utero, a...Same here, WT, my husband read to them in utero, and we read every night after they were old enough to sit in our laps.<br /><br />My husband hid "The Foot Book" under the couch because Number One would sit in his lap, have him read the book, then take it out of the right hand and put it in his left to have him read it again.<br /><br />It's interesting how my kids (now 14 and 10) have such different styles, too. Number One reads a book a day during the summer, and often during the school year, too. She's been reading things like Romeo and Juliet, The Great Gatsby, and Great Expectations, because she knows they'll be required reading in high school.<br /><br />Number Two likes to read just as much, but has slightly less patience for sitting still that long. She often has four books going on at a time. She'll stop one, restart it months later, etc. It's definitely tied in to personality.<br /><br />Oh, but I think the VERY most important factor in getting kids to read is to read yourself. If you're not a reader, how can you expect your kids to be? Emulation is much more powerful than instruction.<br /><br />Great topic, Sue!Natalie J. Damschroderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07800784042353921973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584136146833792897.post-47310536997716041662009-07-23T10:43:52.433-04:002009-07-23T10:43:52.433-04:00My kids got read to in utero, and every night afte...My kids got read to in utero, and every night after. I am the working parent at our house, so for them it was their special mom-time. Still, their personalities are SO different in relation to books.<br /><br />They are both able readers, but my daughter, from the beginning, cared more about the entertainment value--she wanted a story (ideally, starring her), where my son as a toddler liked cadence and words. <br /><br />She is 14 now and really only reads when 'there's not a better option'--during the school year we enforce a minimum homework time and if she finishes before it's over, she is to read (we did this to keep her from rushing through) and we try to encourage her to read before bed, which she does between texting *rolls eyes*.<br /><br />My son on the other hand, an incoming 6th grader, still loves me to read to him and then reads on his own for at least 90 minutes. In the summer there are a few exceptions (Wednesday Wipe-out is on, some Fridays we rent movies) but almost always. He even has been known to sit and read on a Saturday (though only if his friends are busy).<br /><br />I think the difference is in the processing. My daughter's approach leaves her remembering little. She enjoys it and then is done. My son interacts, anticipates, predicts. He is much more engaged. It is how I read, though I didn't do that until later in life, so I am hoping one day my daughter does too.<br /><br />Your facebook note asked WHICH books: both of them learned the thrill of chapter books with Harry Potter, but that may be because JKRowling was teaching their mama how a master writes a book.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.com