Most of us “adults” understand how important reading with and to our young children is.  We can imagine and explore worlds beyond our little neighborhoods, and we can help lay a foundation that will cultivate successes in the classroom.

 But, does it matter WHAT we read to them?  I believe the answer is yes.

Remember the song, Be Careful Little Eyes What You See?

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear

O be careful little tongue what you say…

O be careful little hands what you do…

O be careful little feet where you go…

O be careful little heart whom you trust…

O be careful little mind what you think

O be careful little mind what you think
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little mind what you think
So, be careful little mind what you think

Source: Musixmatch; Songwriters: Traditional / David Norman Anfield

I believe that especially in the young, foundational years we should be selective and protective of what we read to our children.  The world today will challenge many of our values and will expose our children to ideas that may conflict with our own beliefs.

I remember having a conversation with some of my peers.  We were debating whether or not watching violence on TV can have a violent effect on kids and teens.  I believe that it can and that it can desensitize us to situations that should bother us!  Others think that this can just be categorized into “entertainment”.   All I know is that after every time we watched Beauty and the Beast (47 times?), my son would “become” Gaston and march around the house with a fake sword.  I also know that after watching too much scandal on a certain network, my mouth becomes more of a potty mouth!   Our language is affected. Am I the only one?   I’m 60 years old and I’m still impressionable.

On the other hand, we just watched a powerful, positive movie on Netflix called Greater, a true story.   We both felt moved to be better, to be more intentional in sharing our faith. Movies and books about honorable people make you want to be more honorable.

I don’t need studies to prove or disprove that shows, movies, and books have an effect on us.  I have seen it in my children and I experience it personally. They make imprints.  They give us ideas.  They make us think about and question what is right and what isn’t. 

What we expose our eyes and ears to finds its way into our minds. What we allow into our minds leads our mouths and guides our hands.  Philippians 4:8 tells us to THINK upon things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.   We have to seek out information and text that will steer our children in the way of things that are noble and admirable.  I believe this has to be intentional; let’s choose.  

And that, Gina, is why I wouldn’t buy the Brittany Spears CD when you were only 8 years old.  😊