Pre-reading skills
June 16th 2009 23:42
Previously I stated that children begin learning pre-reading skills from birth. Most people do not think of all the skills that come together over time that make learning to read happen. I recently had the opportunity to review some literature from the Early Literacy Initiative which is a partnership among the Public Library Association, the Association for Library Service to Children and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Over the past 15 to 20 years increased access to computers and the internet has caused a decline in the importance of our public library system as a source of information. I remember as a child going to the library, getting my very first library card and getting to check out books that I liked. This was a very big deal in my home. My parents were big readers and they passed that value on to my brothers and I. Then as a parent I passed it on to my children. Reading a bedtime story is a wonderful ritual that helps active children slow down and prepare for bed. Stress free bedtimes is a topic for another day.
The six pre-reading skills discussed in this and other literature are developed best when parents help. No one knows your child better than you do. Parents set the stage for success in school and life when they are aware of the things they can do.
1) If reading is important to you can help your child learn to love reading. Read to your child. From birth on your child will enjoy the sound of your voice and being held on your lap or in your arms while you share simple books such as nursery rhymes, poems and songs.
2) Books for infants and toddlers are mainly pictures that can be pointed to and named. This increases a child’s vocabulary in the same way that pointing to objects and naming them increases their vocabulary. The variety of things a child can be introduced to is much greater through books. For instance, a wide variety of animals, plants and other objects not readily available in your home can be identified in books.
3) Recognizing the similarities and differences in objects is the first step in recognizing different letters. This happens as a result of adults providing a print rich environment and pointing out letters and naming them. Emphasizing their sounds and seeing letters everywhere.
4) Knowing how to handle books, turning the pages, and how to care for them. Very young children think that the story that is being told from a book is being told from the pictures. As you read to your child you will find that they will want to hold the book and often will cover the words which are at the bottom of the page and do not understand when asked to shift their hands for the adult to be able to see the words. Left to right progression is also developed through experiences with books.
5) Hearing sounds within a word develops as the child grows. Books with rhyming words and words that begin with the same sound help with this skill. Developmentally children are able to hear and distinguish the first sound of words. Then the next sound they are able to hear is the last sound. The ability to hear the middle sounds in words develops later.
6) Talking and telling a story of his own is a pre-reading skill. So it is important to take time to listen to your child as he begins to talk and works to describe things they have seen or done. Assisting a child with this skill involves patience and asking questions such as What happened first? Then what happened? Tell me how it ended. Or What was the last thing you did?
During these times of extreme economic struggles parents can make use of public libraries at little or no cost. Besides availability of books by the hundreds, it can be a great adventure for your children. Many libraries have story hours, and other activities for young children as well as staff who can recommend books for children of any age.
Reading is a skill that is necessary for success in life. Start your babies off right. Relax and enjoy books together. Children who enjoy being read to will want to learn to read
Over the past 15 to 20 years increased access to computers and the internet has caused a decline in the importance of our public library system as a source of information. I remember as a child going to the library, getting my very first library card and getting to check out books that I liked. This was a very big deal in my home. My parents were big readers and they passed that value on to my brothers and I. Then as a parent I passed it on to my children. Reading a bedtime story is a wonderful ritual that helps active children slow down and prepare for bed. Stress free bedtimes is a topic for another day.
The six pre-reading skills discussed in this and other literature are developed best when parents help. No one knows your child better than you do. Parents set the stage for success in school and life when they are aware of the things they can do.
1) If reading is important to you can help your child learn to love reading. Read to your child. From birth on your child will enjoy the sound of your voice and being held on your lap or in your arms while you share simple books such as nursery rhymes, poems and songs.
2) Books for infants and toddlers are mainly pictures that can be pointed to and named. This increases a child’s vocabulary in the same way that pointing to objects and naming them increases their vocabulary. The variety of things a child can be introduced to is much greater through books. For instance, a wide variety of animals, plants and other objects not readily available in your home can be identified in books.
3) Recognizing the similarities and differences in objects is the first step in recognizing different letters. This happens as a result of adults providing a print rich environment and pointing out letters and naming them. Emphasizing their sounds and seeing letters everywhere.
4) Knowing how to handle books, turning the pages, and how to care for them. Very young children think that the story that is being told from a book is being told from the pictures. As you read to your child you will find that they will want to hold the book and often will cover the words which are at the bottom of the page and do not understand when asked to shift their hands for the adult to be able to see the words. Left to right progression is also developed through experiences with books.
5) Hearing sounds within a word develops as the child grows. Books with rhyming words and words that begin with the same sound help with this skill. Developmentally children are able to hear and distinguish the first sound of words. Then the next sound they are able to hear is the last sound. The ability to hear the middle sounds in words develops later.
6) Talking and telling a story of his own is a pre-reading skill. So it is important to take time to listen to your child as he begins to talk and works to describe things they have seen or done. Assisting a child with this skill involves patience and asking questions such as What happened first? Then what happened? Tell me how it ended. Or What was the last thing you did?
During these times of extreme economic struggles parents can make use of public libraries at little or no cost. Besides availability of books by the hundreds, it can be a great adventure for your children. Many libraries have story hours, and other activities for young children as well as staff who can recommend books for children of any age.
Reading is a skill that is necessary for success in life. Start your babies off right. Relax and enjoy books together. Children who enjoy being read to will want to learn to read
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