Have you ever had a five year old read you a story? I’m not talking early reader, reading word for word kind of reading. No, I’m talking the animated, highly imaginative version of Count & Color with the Little Monsters.
Each page basically says the same phrase: “One little monster is green.” “Two little monsters are blue.” Etc. Etc.
But leave it to my Little to take this to a whole new level. Especially right before bedtime.
“One little green monster is flying high in the sky and can eat all of the green grass down below and trees around.” (Imagine this recital in a rhyming, rhythmic cantation…except it doesn’t rhyme.)
Note to mamas and future mamas: Allow yourself at least half an hour for reading time. Reason one is for the exact scenario stated above. Reason two is, well, there is no just reading ONE book. Depending on the length, each book is immediately followed by, “One more! Just one more. Pleeeeeeeeeeaaase!”
Now the end of the night can lead to some meltdowns, so it’s best to preset the number of books, or even have the exact books ready before bedtime. Then there are no excuses, at least on the book end, for delaying bedtime. (There are a million other excuses my Little can come up with for not sleeping, but that’s for another day. ?)
As a former teacher, I’ve learned the value in letting Little “read the pictures” and not worry so much about her reading words just yet. It’s the first step towards reading. So bring on those amazing stories!
Hmmm. Perhaps I should record these and save them for a rainy day. We may have a next gen writer in the family….
~Jenn
LOVE it. Early readers are the best, and picture books are still my favorites.