We recently sat down with Sarah from 7littlemexicans who taught us a lot about the funny and awesome things that happen when you’re a parent. Now, we’re getting her take on reading and the importance of books in childhood!
Yes, reading is very important to our family: the adults and the kids. See above for needs around escaping. I could probably write a book about all the reasons that I love reading to and with my children, but here are a few:
- Cuddle time. We always cuddle when we read. Sometimes it’s the only time in the busy day that we have physical contact for more than a few seconds.
- Exploring ideas. Books open up new worlds, as they say. Books are a great opportunity to talk about all kinds of topics, like buffalo wearing underwear.
- Empathy. Reading a book means looking at something from a different point of view. To enjoy a story is to take on someone else’s perspective and start to care about it. That, my friends, is the starting place of all healing in the world.
- Art. Children’s books have incredible art, and I would recommend the real, physical object whenever you can afford it or get it from the library.
What are your favorite children’s books and why?
Iggy Peck, Architect: This is a gorgeous book about doing what you love no matter what anyone says. Also geography! And architecture!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: This is a funny book that is a great way to teach kids about manipulation and standing up for themselves.
The Dot: A book about creativity that teaches how everyone is creative and everyone can contribute even when they don’t think they can.
Big Scary Monster: This beautifully illustrated book is about scale and perspective. The perspective is both literal and symbolic, and you can yell things when you read it. Always a win.
The Way I Feel: This is a very literal book about emotions. As a person, who has often been deeply confused about how I feel, I wanted to start teaching my kids early that it’s OK to have all kinds of feelings and to give my children some labels for the most common emotions.
Incredible You: This is a book of affirmations with a list of great questions at the back that I use to talk to my kids about the most important person in their lives: Themselves.
Can you suggest any books that parents can read to help them better understand their children?
I have literally never read a book about understanding children, so I can’t be much help here. I’m probably doing this all wrong. But I have read lots of books about understanding humans, which have been quite helpful.
Just like the path to a successful adult relationship, I have found that the most important person to understand is me. Who am I as a parent? The more I understand myself and my reactions to situations, the better off our whole family is. And bonus, I can change my own behavior more easily, if I don’t like what is happening.
About Sarah
Sarah writes with sarcasm about science, gender, feminism and fertility issues on her blog sevenlittlemexicans.com. When she’s not dreaming about being a “real writer,” she works with 50 psychologists at her “real job.” Sarah lives in Denver with her soon-to-be-wife, two girls and an ungrateful dog. She is working on memoir about becoming a parent. If she had more free time, she would spend it lobbying the state government to make down vests and flip-flops the official uniform of Colorado. You can talk to her on Twitter @7littlemexicans.
