|
|
 |
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
|
Raising readers
By Melissa Martin
Why is it important to expose babies, toddlers, and younger children to
the world of books? Why is it important to read aloud to babies and
toddlers? Why is it important to make reading fun for children?
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents,” surmised
Emilie Buchwald. I agree.
Parents are a child’s first teachers, first role models, and first
communicators; talking, listening, singing, making sounds, smiling,
laughing, and hugging. Homes are the building blocks of society. And
parents are like the royal family in the United Kingdom—of utmost
significance in their castle.
In a 2016 Scholastic Study, the results revealed three out of four
parents who have children ages 5 and younger start reading aloud before
their child reaches his first birthday. And 40 percent of parents
reported they started reading when their child was less than three
months old. www.scholastic.com/.
I give a round of applause to these parents—my hands are clapping and
my lips are smiling.
And the reading tip of the day is to make reading fun for younger
children so they will read for pleasure in the future. Family
experiences with books prepare children for learning long before they
start school. Kids need to develop an emotional connection to reading
materials.
Reading books with children can help with empathy skill-building as
they identify with the characters and relate to their feelings. And
reading exercises a child’s brain like movement exercises her body.
Imagination and creativity dance together in book-reading. And books
are downright entertaining!
Think about your favorite picture books of childhood. How do you feel
about these books? I remember the Little Golden Books and The Tale of
Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.
“Learning to read and write doesn’t start in kindergarten or first
grade. Developing language and literacy skills begins at birth through
everyday loving interactions, such as sharing books, telling stories,
singing songs and talking to one another.”
www.zerotothree.org/early-learning/early-literacy.
Is it too early to begin reading to a 6-month-old? Literacy experts
suggest soft cloth books or chunky board books that a baby can safely
slobber on as you read to them because infants use their mouths to
explore their environment. When a parent uses her/his voice to make the
words and pictures exciting, the child will respond.
Does technology hinder or help toddlers' learning? In our modern lives
with technological devices, children can become overly dependent on
television, video games, and table computers (just like adults). That’s
why it’s important to make books the centerpiece of learning and limit
screen time for younger children.
Should parents read an electronic book or a paper book to children?
Balance is the word of the day. Holding a paper book adds the sensation
of touch and children like to turn the pages.
Child librarians use books, rhymes, songs, musical instruments,
fingerplays, puppets, and movement to make storytime fun. Some
libraries have programs just for babies. Make your public library a
frequent stop as you encourage the love of learning via books.
Celebrate Children's Book Week 2018, April 30-May 6! The program was
created by Every Child a Reader and sponsored by the Children’s Book
Council.
Resources
Helping Your Child Become a Confident Reader and Writer Starting from
Birth, downloadable booklet (no cost), offers ways to nurture early
literacy skills via daily interactions with children from birth to 5
years. www.zerotothree.org/
RAISING BOOKWORMS: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment by
Emma Walton Hamilton.www.raisingbookworms.com.
Parents, I invite you to make reading a priority with your kids.
Melissa Martin, Ph.D, is an author, columnist, educator, and therapist.
She resides in southern Ohio. www.melissamartinchildrensauthor.com.
|
|
|
|
