| As a parent who deeply loves and cares about your | | | | master these two skills. When you read stories to your |
| children, you want to do all that you can to help teach | | | | children or they hear stories by listening to audio CDs, |
| and instruct them, and prepare them for life as an | | | | they improve their attention span and listening skills. |
| adult. You want them to have a well-rounded | | | | When kids master these skills early, they are more |
| education, demonstrate good common sense, be | | | | likely to become better learners. They also develop a |
| honest and trustworthy, and be kind and respectful to | | | | greater interest in both books and reading. By listening, |
| others. | | | | while following along in a book or printed story, your |
| There are many different ways that you can teach | | | | children will quickly learn to recognize more words and |
| and instruct your children. Just spending time with them | | | | steadily increase their vocabulary. |
| and setting the right example is probably one of the | | | | Children's stories can also be great tools for stimulating |
| best ways, however, other ways are effective too. | | | | your child's imagination. Many of the classic children's |
| This article deals primarily with children's stories, and | | | | stories or fairy tales are great for doing this, and there |
| explains how they can be used as effective teaching | | | | are many stories readily available to choose from. |
| tools. | | | | Some good examples of these types of stories are: |
| In addition to being fun and entertaining, children's | | | | "Cinderella", "The Sleeping Beauty", and "The Emperor's |
| stories are great for teaching many of life's important | | | | New Clothes". |
| lessons. For example, children can be taught honesty, | | | | If you would like your children to gain a better |
| persistence, kindness, obedience, courage, the value of | | | | appreciation for history, then children's stories can be |
| hard work, and many other lessons through stories. | | | | great learning aids for developing this interest. There |
| Some good examples of stories that teach some of | | | | are many good historical stories to choose from, |
| these lessons are: "The Boy and the Robbers", "The | | | | depending on the period of history that you are |
| Boy Who Cried Wolf", "Try, Try, Again", "A True Story | | | | interested in. For example, "How George Washington |
| About a Girl", "Jonah and the Whale", "David and | | | | Escaped a Trap", "The Midnight Ride", "The Young |
| Goliath" , "The Little Red Hen", and "Read and You Will | | | | Scout", and "Washington's Last Battle" are just a few |
| Know". | | | | examples of some good stories if you want your |
| There are many other stories that teach valuable | | | | children to learn more about the American Revolution. |
| lessons to our children. Lessons like handling money | | | | Hopefully, this information has been helpful. Teaching |
| wisely, honoring our parents, and treating others with | | | | children many of life's important lessons is often |
| kindness and respect can be taught through stories. | | | | challenging, but can be both fun and rewarding. You'll |
| Here, are some good stories that drive home these | | | | be thrilled to see how quickly your kids can grasp new |
| important lessons: "The Whistle", "Going to Sea", and | | | | concepts, as you teach and instruct them. Remember, |
| "Stories about Jefferson". | | | | children's stories are just one of many tools you have |
| So much of what we learn is through reading and | | | | available. Good luck! |
| listening, so it is vitally important that your children | | | | |