School’s back in session and parents around the country are looking to not only get their children’s education up to speed, but to do what they can to surpass it. But studies have shown that it’s not just about working with your little ones during the school year. The true benefits can be found from day one, and even before, as Dan Gilbert of the Primrose Schools illustrates below.
Raising a Child that Loves to Read
by Dan Gilbert
Decades of research have shown that a child develops learning habits when they have exposure to books from very early in life. When a parent reads to the child, the rhythm of the language becomes familiar, which causes verbal skills to develop at an accelerated rate. Love for reading starts from the point the books are introduced – as an infant or even before birth. Many people claim that a child will remember the music and stories they hear while still in the womb. Children do recognize their mother’s voice immediately after birth.
Making the time to read together is essential if you are going to raise a child that loves to read. Robert Needlman, M.D., author of the book Dr. Spock’s Baby Basics and member of the Primrose Schools Education Advisory Board, believes you should begin to spend time reading with a child from infancy, continue through toddler years, preschool and beyond. “There’s no prescription for this, the only prescription is to allow some time each day that you can sit down, connect with your child, and read together. The main thing is to allow it to occur in a way that’s joyful, that conveys enjoyment to the child – from enjoyment the rest will follow.”
Making the time to read together is essential if you are going to raise a child that loves to read. Robert Needlman, M.D., author of the book Dr. Spock’s Baby Basics and member of the Primrose Schools Education Advisory Board, believes you should begin to spend time reading with a child from infancy, continue through toddler years, preschool and beyond. “There’s no prescription for this, the only prescription is to allow some time each day that you can sit down, connect with your child, and read together. The main thing is to allow it to occur in a way that’s joyful, that conveys enjoyment to the child – from enjoyment the rest will follow.”
Consistent effort to spend time each day reading together as your child grows is essential for the development of a future reader. Whether the story is read just before bed or as part of the evening meal routine, children must hear the spoken word to develop mastery-level language skills. Long before a child starts school, the time spent with books becomes a habit that will carry through life. No one is quite sure which part is more important; the personal connection with the parent or the sound of the spoken word. The primary goal is to embrace reading in a joyful way that engages the child’s interests.
Pictures add meaning for the child when the parent points to the illustrations and reads the words with an animated voice. Even when the words are changed to make the story more personal, the child develops interest in books. Children love to hear their own name, so inserting their name into the storyline will create interest and encourage them to write their own stories later.
Book selection is important to retain the child’s curiosity about reading. Even though the adult tires of reading the same book repeatedly, the child is learning from each pass through the pages. Great books for children include interesting illustrations that convey the meaning of the text on the page. When the words are read aloud, a distinct rhythm will be memorable when the words are read again. The parent’s interests are important when choosing books since the responsibility of making the activity fun falls on the adult.
To prevent fatigue with the same book, check out multiple books from the library and teach the child how to treat the books in the appropriate manner. Replacing books each time the current set comes due is a great way to move into new material and reduce redundancy. Remind the child that the books can be checked out again.
Apply these ideas to create a fun environment that embraces literature to build a foundation for successful readers:
• Age-appropriate books about a wide variety of subjects should be available for each child. When they are able to choose books that interest them, they are more likely to read alone.
• Time each day should be spent reading to children even when they are just toddlers. They should be encouraged to participate in the story.
• Take favorite books along whenever car travel or local errands are on the agenda. Use time waiting to read and develop good habits.
• Ask the child’s school teacher to provide a list of books that are related to school activities. Reading books that reflect their experiences will teach them to look for books as learning sources later in life.
• Older children will read to younger siblings and mimic the voices and other story-telling techniques used by their parents. The child that makes up new stories has taken a significant developmental step to becoming a life-long learner and reader.
Children are born with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. From the earliest days, their future success depends on their ability to master the language. Having books read to them is an essential first step in learning how the language is used in written and oral forms. Each child’s cognitive development requires a supportive and nurturing environment that provides exposure to information in various forms.
