Dear Ms. Barber, parenting advice by Brenda Fisher Barber
Iam reminded of the times when my mother would sit with me on the couch in the living room, under the tri-lamp with my stack of books from the library on my lap! She would ask me to choose just two stories to read with her for the evening. This was always a difficult task as I wanted to read them all with her, but knew she had two other children to prepare for bedtime.
My love for reading is all due to the wonderful fact that my Mother loved to read, took us to the library every weekend and gave of her time unselfishly to sit and read with her children. My amazing Mom still reads the Penticton Herald every morning!
My memories are so vivid, from the early collection of Dr. Seuss books that she ordered for us that came in the mail when we were preschool age to the endless patience she had as I struggled through those early first readers from grade school and all of the wonderful stories we borrowed from the Penticton Library with our own library cards. I thank you Mom, for a priceless gift, Reading, and for all of the gifts and unconditional love you have given to me.
DEAR MS. BARBER: Could you please give some advice, tips and ideas for reading out loud with our young children, the importance of reading and any recommendations for stories and books for preschoolers. — Wanting to raise lifelong readers
DEAR WANTING: The benefits of early reading are so profound, and children form so much of their intelligence potential during the early years of their life, that many early childhood experts recommend reading to your child as soon as he or she is born, and continuing indefinitely through their childhood years.
“The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children,” a Commission on Literacy and Reading report found.
I have also observed that there are many benefits to reading aloud with your children and over the years I have compiled many ideas and tips to share with parents.
Here is a list for you on the benefits of reading aloud to children:
It encourages children to make connections between the "heard" word and the meaning “behind” the word.
It gives them a positive foundation to pre-reading skills that supports the process of becoming independent readers in the future.
Children whose parents read to them tend to become better readers and perform better in school.
One of the most important skills a parent can teach children is how to communicate: how to speak, listen, and to read. By reading aloud to your children, you are teaching them all of these skills.
Reading to young children also expands their vocabulary, improves memory, and allows them to practice listening skills.
Read to your child from a variety of sources. Such as books, cereal boxes and other food products, magazines, menus, road signs, and greeting cards. By reading from a wide variety of sources, you are teaching the importance of the written word.
As your child becomes older, he will want books that actually tell a story and have an ending that makes sense to him. Books help to develop the preschooler's attention span. They contribute to children forming a rich vocabulary and verbal skills.
Reading helps to develop thinking, creativity and the imagination.
Reading to your child contributes to the development of basic reading concepts such as following the words from the left to right side of a page.
Reading together will also nurture and support emotional development, attachment and a sense of well-being between you and your child.
Throughout toddlerhood and the preschool years, your child is learning critical language and enunciation skills.
By listening to you read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, your child is reinforcing the basic sounds that form language.
Encourage “Pretend reading”--when a toddler pages through a book with squeals and giggles of delight — this is a very important pre-literacy activity.
Purchase sturdy board books for Toddlers and take them everywhere with you on your travels. Let your young children pack a few books to take in the car and model for them as you read your newspapers, books and magazines.
I once asked our local Youth Services Librarian, Julia Cox, to compile a list of her Top 10 Recommended Books for young children. I encourage you to visit the library with your children and ask for books that are age-appropriate for each stage of development. Here is her list: • Except If. By Jim Averbeck • Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been? By Dan Bar-el
• Giraffe and Bird. By Rebecca Bender • A Friend for Einstein, the Smallest Stallion. By Charlie Cantrell • Mini Racer. By Kristy Dempsey • Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge. By Mem Fox • Let's Do Nothing! By Tony Fucile • Big Belching Bog. By Phillis Root • The OK Book. By Amy Krouse Rosenthal • The Queen of France. By Tim Wadham Good luck on your journey through parenthood! “Dear Ms. Barber” is written by Author and Advice Columnist, Brenda Fisher, Early Learning Expert with 35 years' experience working with children of all ages and specializing in the early years. Brenda has been a Preschool Teacher, Early Childhood Education College Coordinator/Instructor, StrongStart BC Facilitator and Professional Development/Workshop Presenter. Please visit her website at www.brendafisherbarber.com for more articles and information for the Early Years and to connect with her.