Monday, April 10, 2006
April 12, 2006 is National D.E.A.R. Day!
D.E.A.R. stands for 'Drop Everything and Read.' D.E.A.R. Day is a special day celebrating the gift of reading! This day is meant to encourage families to drop everything and set aside at least 30 minutes a day to read together. HarperCollins Children's Books is encouraging everyone to Drop Everything And Read! HarperCollins has teamed with The National Education Association, National PTA, The Association for Library Service to Children and Reading Rockets to encourage participation in National D.E.A.R. Day events across the country.
It is no coincidence that April 12, 2006 is also the 90th birthday of beloved Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary. D.E.A.R. Day was chosen on this date in honor of Ms. Cleary. Beverly Cleary is the well-known and highly popular author of many children's classics, including Henry Huggins, Ribsy and the Ramona series, with its spunky heroine - the official spokesperson for the National D.E.A.R. Day program - Ramona Quimby. Her books and characters have charmed and delighted generations of young readers.
Here are some Family Reading Tips:
D.E.A.R. stands for 'Drop Everything and Read.' D.E.A.R. Day is a special day celebrating the gift of reading! This day is meant to encourage families to drop everything and set aside at least 30 minutes a day to read together. HarperCollins Children's Books is encouraging everyone to Drop Everything And Read! HarperCollins has teamed with The National Education Association, National PTA, The Association for Library Service to Children and Reading Rockets to encourage participation in National D.E.A.R. Day events across the country.
It is no coincidence that April 12, 2006 is also the 90th birthday of beloved Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary. D.E.A.R. Day was chosen on this date in honor of Ms. Cleary. Beverly Cleary is the well-known and highly popular author of many children's classics, including Henry Huggins, Ribsy and the Ramona series, with its spunky heroine - the official spokesperson for the National D.E.A.R. Day program - Ramona Quimby. Her books and characters have charmed and delighted generations of young readers.
Here are some Family Reading Tips:
- Designate a special time for family reading. Whether it is books at bedtime or stories after supper, a reading routine becomes something everyone can look forward to.
- Encourage your child’s reading. Praise the efforts of your soon-to-be or beginning reader. Make sure that the busy schedules of older readers include time for reading for pleasure.
- Allow kids to choose books they are interested in reading or having read aloud. Be aware of your child’s interests and abilities and make a variety of reading materials easily accessible.
- Register for a library card. If you already have one, use it frequently! Take advantage of library programs or library book clubs.
- Develop a reading-rich environment at home. Furnish your house with books, newspapers, and magazines. Make sure there are also comfortable places to read with good lighting.
- Everyday opportunities for reading abound. From the cereal box at breakfast, to the road signs on the way to school, to the note in the lunchbox, to the board game instructions, to the recipe for dinner—words are everywhere! Take the time to point them out or ask your child to read them to you.
- Ask questions when you are sharing books together. Engage your children in discussions about the books you read and help them relate to the characters or situations. Share your own feelings and invite kids to do the same.
- Remember, children want to do what the grownups do. So if parents just drop everything and read, the kids will want to be a part of it!
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 4:17 PM 
