Tell me a Story …

It’s been a lovely week of inspiration, combined with a topic close to my heart – reading to your children. I revisited all those exciting, scary and comfy feelings of being read to as a child. There is no nicer way to finish the week than with this beautiful poem by Glenys Drew.

Tell me a Story

My son still treasures stories that I told when he was small;

Tales with no prior thought at all would flow as they would fall;

Warming to their theme, some tales engaged invitingly;

Twisting here and turning there, enthralling even me!

‘Whatever happens next?!’ I’d think, an epic fast evolving,

Will this one carry to the end, commandingly resolving?

Most times the tales would fly, but some would turn out rather lame;

Not really gelling at the start, and awkward to reframe.

But was he troubled? No, not he! All thought of sleep repelling,

My son gave rapt attention to the story I was telling.

Sometimes, I fear, relaxed and quiet, hard pressed to keep awake,

A story, quickly seized in dream, the oddest turn could take!

One instance, drifting quite away – I well recall the night –

A bright voice woke me with a start: ‘But, Mum, that can’t be right!’

These stories in two series he would cherish, just the same;

And I was glad, as I enjoyed that time I’d spend with him.

Though years have passed, he still recalls those stories of his youth;

Two series, just for him, he prized, despite their dubious worth;

His words to me today, though, gave the greatest joy of all;

He asked me would I do the same thing for his little girl.

Glenys Drew 2011

I can’t imagine a better gift for children than the love of reading.

Friends have told me that teaching their children to read is one thing but encouraging them to want to read is another. Naturally very young children can’t read themselves, so reading to them each day or as often as possible must be an important beginning.

Even as an adult, reading gets you thinking, you don’t have to agree or disagree it’s just wonderful to ponder the idea, the words, and what the author is trying to say. How exciting to get your children thinking creatively, plus giving them an understanding and an appreciation for books. We all love to discuss books, so once again books offer a fantastic way of communicating with your children promoting language and vocabulary skills. Though to me, the most important thing about reading to your child is the time spent together, the family time. What could possibly beat curling up together on the lounge, or with your child tucked up in bed while you read a book together. Happy reading. xx

Glenys Drew: http://www.rosegumarabians.com.au