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Reading to my children from the time they were born is one of the best steps I have ever taken. Intent on having a routine for my children, I didn't realize how important this was until my son who is nearly two, drank his warm milk with his two oldest sisters before disappearing to brush his teeth, only to reappear moments later, racing to his bedroom and uncovering a book from under his pillow. After promptly settling into his 'I'm ready to listen now' position, my husband read his story, 'baby snuggles'. A book all about bed time routine. Five minutes later he was asleep.

Having my daughter start school this year, story time for my two girls has become very different since my daughter learned to read the first week she started. A story to which has become a favorite for all my children is titled 'The Nickle Nackle Tree', a story I no longer have to read as my two girls know it by heart.

Sharing theses stories with our children is so very precious to both my husband and myself, and to any other parent who has come close to losing any of their children. During the hospital stays with my two youngest children, books became a haven away from the drips, the needles, and the endless hours of strange surroundings.

Books read on cassette were wonderful for the long trips to the different hospitals when you obviously can't read because someone has to drive, or even pretending inventing your own stories. 'A Dragon in a Wagon', 'One dragon's Dream' and 'A bag full of pups' are easy, inventive books based on reading enjoyment yet providing educational material subconsciously absorbed by your child.

So whether you read for enjoyment to your children, for learning purposes or both, teaching children the value of reading at a young age increases their passion not only for recreational reading, but also a passion for learning. Books containing material age appropriate and interestingly provoking for their imaginations will help your child become the adult they are meant to be, because let's face it... we are really only preparing our children to become adults.

May as well keep those precious moments spent reading to our children as abundant as possible now, because they are not children for too long. Creating memories for tomorrow, today!

Learn more about this author, Linda Smith.
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