“April 30th marks a special day in the lives of children.? It is a day to celebrate children and books.? Known as El dÃa de los niños/El dÃa de los libros, or Children’s Day/Book Day, this is a day to celebrate the joys and wonders of childhood and the importance of books in our lives.
By including books in the celebration, families can begin to develop new habits that will instill a love for books and reading in children.? Reading daily to your child for at least twenty minutes can become a family tradition.? Children will enjoy the experience and grow to love and appreciate books.“
This words come right out of a flyer from the American Library Association.? One that I hope many of you found around your communities over the past month as we prepared as teachers and parents for this day of recognition of our children and their lives being touched profoundly by books.
As busy mompreneurs I realize it’s challenging to find that recommended 20 minutes a day to read, and we all realize the importance of making that time available to read.? Reading is the skill that lasts a lifetime.? Teach them to love reading, and they will carry that love with them into grade school and middle school and high school and beyond.
Below are some book titles that are from this same flyer that bring Spanish and English together for reading fun.? My philosophy as a mom of three (all of whom are being raised to understand and speak both English and Spanish) and as a teacher of thousands is get?our children?reading early in two languages.? (Did you know that children receiving instruction in two languages via music or verbal exchange or TV?or DVDs read sooner than their monolingual peers?? It’s true!? Reference:? Dr. Ellen Bialystock, 2001)
My Shapes/Mis formas? by Rebecca Emberley
Bebé Goes Shopping by Susan Middleton Elya
Spicy Hot Colors / Colores picantes by Sherry Shahan
Lupe Lupita, Where Are You? / Lupe Lupita, ?dónde estás? by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza
I chose these four selections because, even if you don’t speak one word of Spanish, the pictures and easy style of text might lend itself to a comfort level that will allow you to at least try them!? Ask a Spanish-speaking friend to help you pronounce words you don’t know, ask another parent who knows Spanish to maybe help you or call me – Boca Beth on our toll free number (1.877.825.2622)!
Really, I still answer my own phone unless I am out doing a live event somewhere.? But I always return my phone calls, don’t you?? Communication is the key to all of our success in the world of entrepreneurship!? Let’s give our children the tools they need to be successful in communicating in this global society – reading and speaking a second language!
Happy Educating!? ?Sea feliz educando!
Boca Beth