Here is a little gift for Father's Day. With all the controversy over standards, teacher evaluations and standardized tests, one thing remains incontrovertibly true: children whose parents read to them have a leg up on literacy learning.
I wrote this poem nearly thirty years ago, while on my way to a conference to speak on the topic of A Fathers' Influence on Children's Literacy Development. It, too, remains true today.
I hope you enjoy.
Read to Me, Daddy
Of far away places
Where elephants reign
And turtles win races.
Read to me, Daddy
And we’ll leave on a flight
To Jupiter! Mars!
And home in one night.
Read to me, Daddy
And fill up my head
With fanciful pictures
‘Fore I go to bed.
Read to me, Daddy
Of wishes come true.
Read to me, Daddy
Then I’ll read to you.
Russ Walsh
I gave this to my father 13 father's days ago, the day before father's day. Had no clue he would suddenly pass away the next day. I still think about this poem here and there. I'll cherish it forever thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this story. So sorry for the loss of your dad.
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