2.27.13
Why is Literacy so important and when is Read Across America Day? Read Across America Day is being celebrated on March 1st in most schools, and March 2nd at various community locations. (You can visit The Children’s Museum of Richmond to meet the Cat in The Hat this Saturday!) Reading is a critical skill we all need to function as independently as we can. Reading is not only a method of taking in information, but also builds self-esteem and boosts creativity. Watching TV and videos is a passive way of gathering information, while reading is an active method that stimulates more brain activity. Remember, your brain is a muscle and it must be exercised with challenging tasks like reading.
In addition, early literacy skills have a direct correlation on future behavior. While young children are listening to a story, they are learning to be able to remember the content of spoken language for a short time. Why is this important? Because one day soon, they will need to listen to and remember multi-step instructions from their teacher (clean-up your table, put your materials away, and stand in line for lunch) or from their future boss (create an excel spreadsheet, merge these two documents and email it to the entire staff).
When reading happens between parent and child, the impact can be even greater. The bond formed between parents and children can enhance creativity. A story leads to a dozen of eager questions asked, which show that the child's mind is racing ahead of the verbal drama unfolding in front of his/her imagination.
Parent and child bonding is essential to each and every child, and reading with your child is a simple way to establish a strong and nurturing parent and child bond.
- “I learn more about what my son does in preschool after we have finished our one-on-one bed time reading than during any other time during the day.” Mom of 2
Did you know children absolutely adore stories about animals? Here’s why: according to teachers, it’s “because they can cut loose from all limitations and rules of their own civilized lives and from the control of their parents. They dream of running free in a forest, living in a hollow tree, flying with the birds and creatures who don't scold or make you wash your hands before each meal.”
But what if your child doesn’t like to read? Take what you can get, even if it’s 5 minutes. Then consider this:
As your child grows, story time can become a bonding, connected time that your child can count on. The emotional security that can grow from taking the time to sit down and read together is truly priceless. It lets your child know first that she’s important to you and second, that reading and learning are fun.
- Build a language-rich environment, by talking to your children, asking questions, and involving them in ongoing dialogues. Did you know by the age of 4, many children have heard up to 48 million words addressed to them?
- Discussion builds comprehension and communication skills. When reading together, Ask who, what, why, when, where and how questions. Your child likely enjoys answering questions such as, "What is this animal?", "How many birds do you see?", "What color is this car?" and "What do you think will happen next?" Smile, relax and listen.
- Be sure to allow plenty of time for your child to respond by counting to eight silently in your mind. This is called "Wait Time" and shows respect for your childs growing thinking and speaking skills.
- In the elementary years, It is important to continue reading aloud in order to further develop essential skills with more challenging reading material. When you read aloud, you can read books at your child's listening level which is higher than his or her reading level.
http://www.wisedude.com/expert_advice/reading_children.htm - Lots of interesting info
http://www.readingfoundation.org/parents/toddler.jsp - Great tips and list of books for toddlers
http://www.readingfoundation.org/parents/schoolage.jsp - Full of great information
