BOCA BETH: One Song at a Time

It’s terrific when nationally we all celebrate a certain day - there’s a sense of unity!  And today is one of those days!  Read below for a quick summary of what today is all about…………

“April 30th marks a special day in the lives of children.  It is a day to celebrate children and books.  Known as El día de los niños/El día 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.“

These words come right out of a flyer from the American Library Association.  One that I found at a local library while I was doing a children’s event in Spanish and English.  I sure hope you found some of them around your community during the past month or so!  This day of recognition helps us remember how profoundly our children and their lives are touched by books.

It’s challenging to find that recommended 20 minutes a day to read … sometimes I desperately search for the 2 minutes to brush my teeth each morning, the 3 minutes to meditate, the 5 minutes to shower - man, forget about the 15 minutes on the treadmill!!!!!  I remember vaguely when I used to cuddle up with Megan each night and read a book (or two if they were short ones!).  Why did I let that tradition fall by the wayside?  She became such a reader.  As many of our children have done, she used to pick out books at an early, early age and ‘pretend’ to read.  Modeling behavior is the start to learning!

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.  Man!  I needed this kick in the butt today, this celebration of The Day of the Child, to remind me to read, read, read!!! with all three of my kids (can’t you just picture me cuddled up with my soon-to-be-18-year-old?!?!?!).

But, darn it, I need to get those Chicken Soup books out, and at least have my two teen boys choose one story and me choose another and spend some time reading.

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)!  or e-mail me at bocabeth@bocabeth.com to call you!

Really, I still answer my own phone unless I am out doing a live event somewhere. 

I always return my phone calls so leave a message if I don’t answer.

 Let’s give our children the tools they need to be successful in communicating in this global society - reading and speaking a second language!

Look for my bilingual tips newsletter coming later this week - the Boca Beth Buzz!

Boca Beth

bilingual bilingual books books day of the child early readers El día de los niños English reading spanish young reader