Raising a Reader
When I found out I was pregnant, one of the first things I decided was that I would raise my child to be a reader. From the moment she was born I have worked towards that goal and now 8 years later she has a great foundation for being a life long reader. We spend time just about every night reading aloud to each other, which keeps her interested in reading and also happens to be great quality time.
The key to raising a reader is to start early, as soon as the child is born, in fact. It truly never is too early to start as a child develops literacy skills long before they are able to read. The actions you take or don’t take right from birth have a lasting impact on your child’s reading skill. The American Academy Of Pediatrics even realizes the importance of building early skills and recommends that Doctors prescribe reading activities with each regular check up.
The first thing I did was to constantly talk to my daughter from the day she was born. I know most people do that but they usually talk “baby-talk”. While that is cute, it is not helping the child with literacy skills. It is important to use a normal tone of voice and adult language. If you have trouble deciding what to say simply vocalize every thing you do.
I would always talk when driving since my daughter was in the back seat facing away from me. I hate that about infant seats even though I understand the importance of it. As we were driving I would simply give a play by play.
For example: We are turning left onto Roger Road and heading west on our way to the library. Oh look, we just passed the Head Start building and are coming up to the stop sign at Fairview.
I know that all sounds so simple and at first glance it really means nothing, but it sets a foundation for literacy. Don’t be afraid to use big words, in fact a large vocabulary is an important factor in becoming a proficient reader. This isn’t about understanding at this point; it is about hearing words and forming a relationship with them. Just remember to use your “baby-talk” sparingly.
You should also never forget that children learn primarily by example. Be sure to let your child see you reading. My daughter has no doubt that I love reading. I have multiple bookcases filled with books as well as a magazine rack filled with books in the bathroom. I read every day and she sees me doing it. Experts even believe that a mother’s literacy level is the single most important predictor of a child’s literacy level.
Also let your child get used to holding books. Give books as presents. You can start giving books at a very young age. There are plastic picture books available at most toy stores that are child safe. Keep books available in your home and take many trips to the library.
Once your child can write her name she can get a library card. Make a big deal of it. Let her choose what books to check out. Get excited with her. It really is an important step in a child’s life and is a beginning step towards loving books. I believe books are beautiful. My full bookshelves are a form of art to me. My daughter sees this, which helps her foster a love of not just reading, but books in general.
There are many opportunities to read in daily life. It is not just about books. You can read street signs as you drive, or food labels as you shop. Let your child read the cereal box while eating breakfast. If your child asks the meaning of a word, pull out the dictionary, look the word up and read the description. Write stories or poems for you child and let her read them. When my daughter was a little younger she would have more fun reading something I wrote than reading any other thing.
But don’t forget to also read books aloud to each other. Reading books together is the easiest way to foster a love of reading. Make reading a fun activity. Act out parts of the book you are reading. Let your child make up an ending to the book. Ask questions about what you have already read to help your child’s comprehension. My daughter and I discuss what we read and talk about what we like best about each character. It is not only important to teach reading but you must also make it enjoyable. If your child doesn’t enjoy reading then she won’t read.
Remember that raising a reader isn’t hard, it just takes discipline and the benefits far out weigh any hassle you might come across. As a parent you always want what is best for your children and helping her become a life long reader is one of the best things you can do.
