Raising Reading Children
But in the 21st century, so many other things compete for a child’s attention and priority. Reading isn’t as popular or considered as much fun as computer games, video games, TV shows, movies, or talking on the phone to friends. But once a child has learned to read, and reads for both skill and pleasure, that child is guaranteed a take-along activity that will lift him out of his boredom even without electricity or batteries. Reading also expands a child’s attention span, since a book leaves time for a slowly developing plot. Reading increases logical thinking, since in a book, it takes time to figure out what is coming next, and gives the reader time to anticipate.
So how can we get reading to compete with all those other fun, beeping, flashing, zooming electronic time users? Experts suggest beginning when your child is a baby. My pediatrician’s office, among many others, puts “reading to your child” on the list of to-dos beginning at 6 months.
When you read to a baby, you want to use a sturdy board book, or a cloth book. Babies learn through touching, tasting and grabbing as much as they do through sight and sound. Read books that have rhymes. Point to the objects as you say them. Some of our favorite books for babies just have pictures with the appropriate word. This builds language skills as well. Let your baby turn the pages if he can or wants to. Another favorite is a book with pictures of family members, particularly if they live a distance away. Babies like looking at people, and you will get brownie points if baby remembers “Unca Ted” at the next family reunion.
You want to continue reading to your active exploring toddler. At these ages, you still want to hold the child on your lap while reading, but expect him to get up and wander off in the middle of a story. Books that have predictable repeating patterns so the toddlers can help say the words; books with pictures and words of objects that toddlers already know; books with flaps to lift and look under; books that have textures to feel; and books with shapes, colors or sizes are all wonderful books to share with your toddler.
Preschoolers like to show off their knowledge and be involved. Reading books that have simple, predictable plots allow a preschooler to guess what happens next, or to remember the book from last time and tell you what is coming. Preschoolers still like rhyme, rhythm and silly words (think Dr. Seuss). My daughter loved to help make up funny words with Dr. Seuss books or the Berenstain Bear “A” or “B” books. Read to your preschooler every day and aim for a twenty minute session. Know what your child is interested in and choose books with those subjects, like trucks, dinosaurs, bats, snakes or monkeys to name a few.
Once your school-age child is learning to read, choose easy to read books to read together. Let him help you by pointing out words, helping to sound out other words. He can also re-read these books later. Books on tape with the accompanying book and a sound to tell when to turn the page are popular and helpful for the beginning reader as well. Choose books based on your child’s interests and things he is curious about. Aim for reading to your school age child about 30 minutes a day, maybe at night before lights out.
Some people even continue reading to their older children. Chapter books about the “olden days” like Little House On The Prairie and the American Girl books; fantasy books like “Chronicles of Narnia” or the “Harry Potter” series; or any other age-appropriate series of books are great to read with your pre-teen child. Reading to a child of this age is one of the ways to stay connected as they grow up and become involved with their peer group. It is also a wonderful way to open discussions with a child who may be more taciturn at this age; to monitor how well your child’s reading and comprehension skills are improving; and to stay on top of your child’s current interests.
The number one way to ensure that your child enjoys reading, and thinks that books and reading are important is to enjoy reading yourself. Both of my girls think books are hugely important, since they have to compete with books for my attention. I probably love to read because I grew up watching my mom read in her spare time. Having your children see you read for entertainment, and then sharing that with them by reading age-appropriate material aloud to them should ensure that they continue to learn the important skill of reading well.
