Stories and Short Poems for Kids: A Family Reading Night

Reading stories and short poems for kids aloud to your children is a critical step in teaching your child to read, but it has a wonderful hidden benefit as well. When you take the time to read to your children you are taking time with them, with no distractions, no cell phone, no computer, no TV. You are showing them that they are an important priority for you. They will love that special time with you, no matter their age.

Many of our read aloud story times have led to some great heart to heart discussions. Reading stories together gives us time to slow down and a reason to talk about things that maybe we wouldn't on a day to day basis. Stories are a wonderful way to teach life lessons, reinforce good choices, model positive morals and open the door to talk about life's difficulties such as sickness or death, dating or peer pressure.

As your children get older and you move into more challenging reading material they will benefit greatly from the discussions that will arise during your story time. Keep communication lines open with your children by simply reading to them. The relationship and communication that your family read aloud times will establish can carry you through what could be some very tough teenage years.

Stories and Short Poems for Kids: A Family Reading Night

There is simply something magical about stories. We are all drawn into them, no matter our age. Sometimes my older child doesn't feel like joining in our reading times because he's too busy listening to music or on his iPod, but inevitably, as we get into the story he is drawn into the room from wherever he was. He can't help but listen - and usually sits down with us to hear the rest of the story.

Institute a story night in your home this week, and if your older children roll their eyes at you just smile, they will learn to love that special time with you.

Stories and Short Poems for Kids: A Family Reading Night
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Kristina Harding has more tips on establishing a family reading night using stories and short poems for kids and more short story fun at Short-Story-Time.com.

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Christmas Short Stories: Reading Holiday Favorites Together

Ready to start a fun new tradition using great Christmas short stories?

Most families have a Christmas tradition or two that they look forward to sharing together year after year. Traditions draw us closer together and allow us to slow down and enjoy the Christmas season; they're also something special to share with future generations. If you don't have a Christmas tradition, try reading Christmas short stories together this year! It's free, meaningful and gives a slight pause to each day of the hustle and bustle that comes with the holiday season.

Begin on December 1st and read a story each night until Christmas. You may want to plan ahead by having each family member pick out several of their favorite holiday stories to have on hand. You can borrow some from your local library, download them to your iPod (many can be downloaded free), or listen to audio stories. If you are stuck and don't have enough favorites for each day, explore some new stories. We've created a list below to help get you started.

Christmas Short Stories: Reading Holiday Favorites Together

Make story time special by turning off the TV, computers, and iPods after dinner each night (unless of course, you've downloaded your Christmas short stories to your iPod). Light some candles, or gather the family around the lit Christmas tree. Make some apple cider or hot chocolate and have a small treat like a Christmas sugar cookie or shortbread to go with your hot drink. Then settle in to read, or listen to, your Christmas short stories.

You'll be surprised at how much your family will look forward to this quiet time with each other and you may even have some wonderful conversations during or after reading these timeless Christmas short stories together. Story time is also a great way to wind everyone down before bed, both young and old.

Make this Christmas special and begin a tradition that your family will look forward to each year. Your kids will remember this tradition and may even pass it on to their kids someday!

Here are some stories to get you started. You can find many of these free online.
The Gift, by R. Louis Carroll The Story of Babouska T'was the Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore The Christmas Story, the Bible - Matthew Chapters 1&2 The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry The Little Match Seller, by Hans Christian Anderson The Selfish Giant, by Oscar Wilde The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, by L. Frank Baum A Kidnapped Santa Claus, by L. Frank Baum The Cobbler and His Guest, by Anne McCollum Boyles The Story of the Candy Cane

We hope that you enjoy reading them and continue the tradition for years to come.

Christmas Short Stories: Reading Holiday Favorites Together
Check For The New Release in Health, Fitness & Dieting Category of Books NOW!
Check What Are The Top Cooking Books in Last 90 Days Best Cheap Deal!
Check For Cookbooks Best Sellers 2012 Discount OFFER!
Check for Top 100 Most Popular Books People Are Buying Daily Price Update!
Check For 100 New Release & BestSeller Books For Your Collection

Kristina Harding shares more Christmas short stories and more short story fun on her site at Short-Story-Time.com.

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