Reading With Your Child
- Author Maryann Bell
- Published February 9, 2011
- Word count 895
There is no more important activity for preparing your child to succeed as a
reader than reading aloud together. Fill your story times with a variety of
books. Be consistent, be patient, and watch the magic work.
Home is Where the Heart Is
It's no secret that activities at home are an important supplement to the
classroom, but there's more to it than that. There are things that parents
can give children at home that the classroom cannot give.
Start Young and Stay With It
At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your
voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by pointing
to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By drawing
attention to pictures and associating words with both pictures and real-world
objects, your child will learn the importance of language.
Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the
existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children
stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It
helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to
understand the written word. When the rhythm and melody of language become a
part of a child's life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to
walk and talk.
Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you
to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level,
but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers' understanding
and motivate them to improve their skills.
It's Part of Life
Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with
your child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don't be
discouraged if you skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just
read to your child as often as you possibly can.
If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with
each child, especially if they're more than 2 years apart. However, it's also
fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the same time. Most
children enjoy listening to many types of stories. When stories are complex,
children can still get the idea and can be encouraged to ask questions. When
stories are easy or familiar, youngsters enjoy these "old friends" and may
even help in the reading.
Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an
important message: Reading is worthwhile.
One More Time
You may go through a period when your child favors one book and wants it read
night after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular
story, and this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind, however, that a
favorite story may speak to your child's interests or emotional needs. Be
patient. Continue to expose your children to a wealth of books and eventually
they will be ready for more stories.
Talking About Stories
It's often a good idea to talk about a story you're reading, but you needn't
feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a love
for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need time
to think about stories they've read. A day or so later, don't be surprised if
your child mentions something from a story you've read together.
Remember When You Were Very Young
It will help, however, consider some things adult readers tend to take for
granted. It's easier to be patient with children when we remember how much
they don't know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so well that we
forget sometimes we ever had to learn them.
There's a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as
you read aloud.
Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read.
Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as
you read.
Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space.
Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and and one
for small letters.
Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of
such symbols. That's how young readers feel. But, a little patience (maybe by
turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to build
confidence.
Advertise the Joy of Reading!
Our goal is to motivate children to read so they will practice reading
independently and become fluent readers. That happens when children enjoy
reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food chains do for
hamburgers...ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading great stories and poems
to children.
We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having
access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity.
Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a
practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and
enjoy some precious leisure moments.
With your help, as your children begin a lifelong relationship with the
printed word, they can grow into adults who read easily and frequently
whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.
Childrensbookstore.com is an online leader in children's books, literacy and
reading activities. Visit www.childrensbookstore.com today!
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Out with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael: 230,000 Irish Children Living in Poverty
- The challenge of Cholera today
- The Ultimate Guide to 3D Animation: From Basics to Advanced Techniques
- Strategic Equipment Financing: Simplifying Capital Investments for Sustainable Growth
- Transform Your Health Journey with Able's Online Weight Loss Counseling
- Are the Crocs' shoes good for your feet?
- Your Ultimate Guide to False Eyelash Types: Find Your Perfect Match!
- Discovering Lighting Stores in Brampton: Spotlight on Fehmilights
- Blue Pacific Financial Loans
- Why is SEO for businesses on the Wirral important
- Proton Mail In Vivaldi Email
- Email Deployment
- Search Engine Marketing: Unleashing Its Power for Your Business
- Squarespace email campaigns vs Mailchimp
- Squarespace email campaigns vs Mailchimp
- Commercial Cleaning Services in Auckland: A Deep Dive into Angel Cleaning
- What is CCTLD?
- Why Women of Color Need to Support Kamala Harris
- Email Extractor from CSV
- How to download Gmail email content into a CSV file.
- Is email marketing legit?
- How SEO Can Improve Your Business?
- Mitsubishi Electric proves heat pump compatibility with microbore pipework
- Polio: Doctors Struggled to Advise the Public Correctly.
- What makes the city of Melbourne such a unique place?
- What is the role of the Royal Society of London?
- Festive Decor with a Global Twist
- Mixer of Styles, The Boho Mid Century Farmhouse
- Explore Cape Town: Group Cape Town Tours With a Private Shuttle
- Exploring Airbnb Cleaning Service in Auckland: History, Trends, and Future Implications