Here at The Learning Experience®, we are committed to turning young children into lifelong readers, placing an emphasis on literacy starting with our littlest learners. While our teachers’ dedication to implementing our Fun with Phonics® program is a major reason why more than 9 out of 10 of our graduates enter kindergarten reading, fostering a love for reading at home is crucial for early literacy success.
A Lifelong Love for Reading Starts at Home
Reading is one of the most important skills that children can learn. It opens the door to a world of knowledge, imagination, and creativity. Reading also helps children develop their language, communication, and critical thinking skills.
But how can parents and caregivers foster a lifelong love for reading in their children?
How can they support their children’s reading development from infancy to early childhood and beyond?
Research shows that reading aloud to children from birth is one of the most effective ways to promote early literacy skills and instill a passion for reading. Reading aloud exposes children to rich and varied vocabulary, helps them learn about print concepts and the alphabetic principle, and enhances their listening comprehension and oral language skills.
Reading aloud also creates a positive emotional bond between children and their caregivers, as they share stories, feelings, and experiences.
Children and Reading - Did you know?
- Children read to three times a week or more by a family member were about twice as likely to score in the top 25% for reading, in comparison to children who were read to less than three times per week.” (National Center for Education Statistics)
- According to Allina Health, reading or talking to your child for at least one hour per day will lead to your child’s vocabulary becoming 8,000 to 10,000 words. By the time a child enters kindergarten they will need a minimum of 10,000 words to continue on a path to successful reading.
- Another way to support children’s reading development at home is to provide them with a variety of books and reading materials that match their interests, abilities, and backgrounds. Children are more likely to enjoy reading when they have access to books that reflect their own experiences, cultures, and identities, as well as books that expose them to diverse perspectives and realities.
Early reading tips to try at home:
- Share literacy throughout the day with your child. Remember that language can be shared in many ways! Examples include conversations, songs, reading, word games, etc.
- Practice helping your child become aware of print all around him/her by pointing out signs while in the car, labels at the grocery store, or recipes while cooking.
- Create a “Reading Place” in your home! Make this a special area designated to promote your child’s literacy skills. Include items such as a reading lamp, writing materials, and many good books or child friendly magazines.
- Start early. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends daily reading to children beginning by six months of age. Use small, chunky board books that your baby can easily hold onto.
- Your child may ask to read the same book repeatedly. Although it can occasionally be tedious for parents, repetition is a good thing.
- Read to your child at least three times per week before bed.
Reading is a skill that can enrich children’s lives in many ways. By reading aloud to children from birth, engaging in conversations about books, providing them with diverse and interesting reading materials, and modeling a love for reading, parents and caregivers can help their children develop a lifelong love for reading that will benefit them in school and beyond.
Related Post: Educating the Heart as Well as the Mind!
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