We all want our children to read. But this desire, compounded by social pressure, is pushing our kids to read at younger and younger ages and at levels that are not appropriate for their development. This is leading to a generation of children who are losing confidence in themselves and their ability to read, who begin to dread arbitrary reading requirements, and who may never learn to love language. It’s on us to right this ship and the best way to do this is to read to our children. Reading together, sharing stories, and experiencing oral language through storytelling lay the important groundwork that inspire children to love reading in their own time. These things introduce children to the rhythm of language, expand their minds and enhance creativity, give them uninterrupted time with you, and will inspire them to want to read. Put down the flash cards and the worksheets, ask them to tell you their story, or simply pick up a favorite book and JUST READ.