Travel for Kids

As a world traveler and a reading specialist, I was truly delighted by Ellen Melinkoff’s article on traveling to Peru with her 5-year-old son (April 7). Too few people realize the value of travel for kids. Not only does it make kids more knowledgeable and sensitive, it makes them better readers, too. Many kids don’t like to read because their imagination is limited to the local McDonald’s, the beach and TV. Alex will love to read about the Incas, llamas, the Amazon and dozens of other concepts he developed.

That is why my own son, at 17 months, has already toured California and Hawaii, and is accompanying us to Alaska and Canada this summer. What better way to learn “mountain,” “glacier” or “bear?”

SUZANNE ROADY-ROSS

Long Beach