Principal's Page When was the last time you turned off the television, picked up a good book, and read to your child? Did you know that back in the 1600s, the colony of Massachusetts had a law that mandated that heads of households were responsible for teaching their children how to read? Well, our ancestors knew something that we have forgotten. According to a 1999 national survey commissioned by the National Center for Fathering, 40 percent of fathers never read to their children. Yet, it has been documented time and again that reading to your children instills in them a love for learning at an early age and gives them a distinct advantage in life. How does reading to your child make a difference? Well, first of all, it helps to build a bond between you and your child. Your child sits with you, you share a book, you cuddle together. Staring blankly at a TV can build up walls between parents and children. Sharing a book together can tear them down. Reading to your young children will also pay dividends later in life. When you read out loud, and act out a book's characters to your children, you share with them different emotions as you explore each character. This builds intimacy between you and your children, and will make them more comfortable in being honest with you about their feelings. You can also ask your children questions as you read, which helps their critical thinking skills. You can pass on values and good decision-making skills as you discuss a story. And, finally, a love for reading will be passed on to your children, and will increase their desire to read on their own. Reading to your children will open up a whole world of knowledge to them and greatly improve other skills, such as writing. So, next time you sit down in your chair, grab the remote, and start to channel surf -- stop and think twice. Instead, pull a good book from the shelf, ask your children to gather around, and enjoy the experience together. Both you and your children will reap the benefits.