We all know how important reading is. It’s undeniable that a child’s reading skills are important to their success in school
We also know that technology is taking over our lives. Regardless of how we feel about it, it’s just a fact.
Barbara F. Sanchez has been teaching in the Williamsville School District for thirty years. She knows a thing or two about what our children need. And don’t need. She also sees what technology is doing. “My hope is that adults understand the importance of instilling a love of literature in children,” Barb told us in a recent interview, “We’re not going to fight technology, nor should we, we should engage it, we should embrace it, and we need to have positive alternatives for parents and children in the digital world.”
So, what did she do to help? She merged technology with good old fashioned reading! She reads to a live audience of young kids, and makes the book come to life. She then posts to the YouTube Channel she created called Barb’s Book Buddies. “BBB became a conceptual framework two years ago. I started to see devices becoming more common than books in young children’s hands. As I “soul searched” the concept, I realized how many amazing stories were “out there” that needed to be told by talented authors, that were not being acknowledged through mass publication. I saw an opportunity to connect authors, children and books through the use of technology.”
It was the start of a great new chapter for this teacher. “I am truly honored and privileged to be a conduit between book/author and reader. Folks have shared pictures of the children in their lives watching BBB, it is exhilarating! I have a friend who connected with a child over BBB’s. I arranged to stop by and meet the child and give her a t-shirt, the little girl had drawn a picture of her favorite “stuffy” and wanted me to have it. What a thrill for me and hopefully for her, a “memory maker moment”! The story doesn’t end there, though, as a few days later my new Buddy’s brother sent me a message via YouTube to “just say Hi!”!”
Barb really makes it fun for the kids. “BBB’s message is to instill a love of reading and literature at an early age in whatever medium is current. I want to advocate for self-published authors and to bring attention to new works of children’s literature. Engaging a live audience of children allows for an unscripted, authentic exchange. Mobility allows Barb’s Book Buddies to enliven literature by bringing the readers in contact with different and unfamiliar surroundings that enhance the experience of new stories.”
So fire up that laptop or smart device and join in on the fun – you’re kids are gonna love it and more importantly, learn from it. “I believe the sooner we put books into children’s hands, the sooner they’re exposed to the world outside their own. Books not only create an opportunity to look at ourselves, but allow us to understand, empathize and appreciate other people and their stories.”
Because when it comes to the importance of reading – we should all be on the same page!!!
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