By Pastor Mark Hopper
Pastor Mark Hopper
Some of our grandchildren have been in the area for a few weeks and we’ve really enjoyed our time with them.
One day, we went down to the beach and had a fun day swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand. They loved digging holes and building castles. We also drew pictures and shapes in the wet sand. They loved to watch the waves come in and erase what we had drawn.
At one point, I started writing the letters of the alphabet in the sand with the flat side of a small plastic shovel. I was amazed to hear my little granddaughter reciting the name of each letter as I drew them.
Now, I know that every parent and every grandparent thinks that their kids are exceptionally smart. But I think that my grandkids are even smarter! I was so amazed that a child so young already knew every letter by name. Maybe this is normal, but I doubt it. Who would have thought that a 2-year old would know and recognize every letter in the alphabet?
I’m sure that her parents should get much of the credit. I know they read books and stories every night before bed. And, I know that kids learn a lot of educational things by watching TV and children’s DVDs, too.
I don’t know how old your children or grandchildren are, but let me encourage you to start reading to them and helping them discover the joy of learning their letters. Letters become words and words become stories. Stories become books and books become adventures.
There are few gifts that you can give to your children and grandchildren that are more valuable than the gift of reading. Don’t wait for others to do the job for you. Start today to help those little ones learn those letters.
Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.
