4.04.2006

Last month on Reading Across America Day, I had the honor of reading to second graders at the Killingworth Elementary School. I read the Dr. Seuss classic, The Butter Battle Book. This story gives lessons in settling differences, learning to compromise, and to accept not always getting one's own way. I wish to thank the students in Susan Dean's class for the opportunity to meet them, and for their sweet note of appreciation.

I can still remember reading bedtime stories to my own children and I don't have to tell you who fell asleep first. It was fun when the children were preschoolers and "read " to me or their siblings by memorizing other Dr. Seuss books like Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat or Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear. It's exciting listening to first graders sound out the words in the same books that we read to them before they went off to school.

I was disheartened though, to learn that there are so many parents who don't read to their children. There is so much magic in books that can't be obtained from television or the internet. Reading stimulates creativity and the imagination. When children are read to they travel to far-away places and make storybook friends.

Children are encouraged to read if there are books in the house and if they see their parents reading. A good example helps them develop their own good reading habits. As your children grow, expose them to books, magazines and newspapers. Subscribe to local publications that cover community issues. Emphasize the importance of community involvement to your children.

The depth of knowledge obtained from reading surpasses any that can be gained from electronic journalism. You can help your children acquire discretionary skills to become responsible citizens, wary consumers and astute voters. Did I also mention how exciting it is to read just for pleasure?

Try to find time during your busy day to read to your children. Start their educations with memories of books that were read to them when they were little. They are little for such a short time.

I might add that there are hidden bonuses in reading to your young children. It's wonderful having them cuddle up close to see the pictures. And is there a better time to steal a kiss or a hug than when they are engrossed in the story?

Education is a cornerstone of democracy and reading is the keystone of education.

Thank you. Marty Klein