Now that Izzy is older, we don't adhere to the 5 Books program like we did when he was 1. Instead we read to him at least twice a day (once at nap time and once at bed time) and whenever else he might bring us a book throughout the day. I am in charge of his nap time reading and we still try to do 5 books, just not necessarily the same 5 books everyday. Daddy does his bed time reading and I think they try to squeeze 3 books in then. I really like that husby and I take turns with the reading because I think it gives Izzy a fresh perspective on the story to have someone else read it to him and it also gives us both a chance to bond with him during the day.
The biggest benefit I have noticed from reading to Izzy is that his stories have been his biggest learning resource. As much as I would like to give more credit to our fun activities in helping him learn, I'm pretty sure story time with mom and dad has helped him learn far more than any activity could ever teach him. Through story time he has learned numbers, shapes, colors, animal sounds, body parts, letters, counting, and so much more. With the help of regular story time he has also developed a love for books and reading that I know will help him when he gets to school.
It has been a little trickier reading to Sydney than it was to read with Izzy, probably because we have to work her story time in around all of Izzy's activities but we do our best to get it in every day when she is rested and her tummy is full. Currently, I have her on the 5 book program I did with Izzy where we pick 5 books at the beginning of the week, read all 5 at least once a day, and then change them out for another 5 books the next week. By doing story time she has learned how to be content to snuggle with me long enough to read 5 consecutive books and she loves to look at the pictures and feel the pages. And when so much of my time is spent trying to keep Izzy out of trouble, its nice to have a few minutes of quiet time alone with her.
As Izzy has gotten older and sister has come along, we have expanded our book selection quite a bit. If you need any recommendations for a good childrens book, here is a list of some of our favorites:
1. Click Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
2. Little Blue Truck by Alice Shertle
3. Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
4. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
5. Colors, ABC, Numbers by Roger Priddy
6. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr
7. Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox
8. No David by David Shannon
9. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr Seuss
10. LMNO Peas and 123 Peas by Ketih Baker