Reading to kids key to their learning

AS YOU WERE SAYING ...

November is Family Literacy Month, a time when schools, libraries and literacy organizations shine a spotlight on the importance of parents and children reading together. Parents are a child’s first teacher, and are often the driving force behind a child’s love of reading. Not only can remarkable bonds form through reading together, but also, family literacy has a direct impact on a child’s success later in life. The National Center for Education Statistics identifies being read to as the single most important activity, for children not yet in school, to build skills needed for future academic success.

I’ve seen the power of family literacy firsthand. Wareham’s Born to Read program provides babies born at Tobey Hospital with family literacy resources and a new book. For some families this is the first book they have ever received. The program has made an impact on children by emphasizing the importance of early literacy from the day each child is born.

But in every community, there are still caregivers who may not understand the importance of reading with their children. There are still children without books. There is still much work to be done.

So what can parents and caregivers do? Read. Reading to children is beneficial from a pure enjoyment standpoint. Many children relish hearing funny stories or those with repetition and rhyme. Even if one has bookshelves filled with books, children often gravitate to their favorites. If you want to keep your literature selections fresh, local libraries are a wonderful free resource. Attend a story time at your library to have fun and learn read-aloud strategies. Many programs are bilingual, and more dual language books are now available. Even if language presents a barrier, caregivers can still enjoy a book with their children. So much can be gained by looking at the pictures together and discussing what you see in your native language.

As a former first-grade teacher and a mom of two avid readers, I frequently turned to Jim Trelease’s “Read-Aloud Handbook.” It is an effective guide for parents and teachers that offers research, strategies and tips, including lists of awardwinning children’s literature. By hearing stories read aloud, children begin to understand how words work together to convey meaning and relay an author’s purpose. They learn about vocabulary, cadence, inflection, plot and sequencing, simply by being read to. These skills can lead to children becoming successful readers and students.

Family literacy needs to be at the forefront of programming every month — not solely in November. Despite best efforts, the data on early literacy continues to be alarming. Although many strides have been made, the achievement gap remains wide. Literacy opportunities for children need to be embedded in the daily fabric of educational settings and the very fiber of families — now, not later.

By hearing stories read, children begin to understand how words work together to convey meaning and relay an author’s purpose.