As parents, we know that getting our children to learn to read is an essential step not only in their educational development, but also in their intellectual future. And with all the daily reports and expert opinions stressing the importance of creating early readers, it seems as if we need to go out and buy workbooks or sign our kids up for after-school reading classes in order to keep them from falling behind in this competitive race to literacy. So often we have heard moms stressing out about their children learning to read and trying to force it to happen earlier by weighing them down with weekend tutoring sessions, iPad apps, and forced reading of books. And in this frantic, frenzied drive to compete, the children become a pawn in a game where the winner is the parent whose child reads at the highest reading level by the earliest age. But more often than not, the losers in this reading race are in fact the winners. For nothing kills the genuine love or interest in reading than making it a requirement or worse yet, a chore.
Reading is a skill and as such, undergoes development. And it can begin to take shape quite simply in every day life without the need for specialized tools or learning aids. “Life itself can teach kids all they need to know about reading,” according to Lucy Calkins, Ph.D. and founding director of the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University’s Teacher College in New York City. Experts like Calkins and others want parents to know that there are numerous easy and fun things that can be done in every-day life to help create little readers. Children need to know the importance of written words and therefore creating an environment that promotes and celebrates reading is essential. This means surrounding the house with all sorts of reading materials ranging from books and magazines, to newspapers, catalogues, and lists. And in this word-friendly atmosphere, children, whom we know learn by example, need to see their parents reading and writing as well.
Furthermore, as parents we can help demonstrate the importance of words by explaining everyday things to our kids. Dr. Calkins points out that this can be as simple as saying, “Want to hear what I did at the post office today?” or “I’m writing a letter to Grandma—is there anything you’d like to tell her?” In addition, we can ask them to describe events in their day, encouraging them to use details to explain their experiences. In this way, according to Calkins, children learn that words help communicate information.
And there are games you can play daily that can help lead to language learning as well. Simply labeling objects around the house with sticky notes or asking them what a sign or a box says can help teach your children about language.
And lastly, making reading a desirable and fun activity, and not a stressful or forced chore is essential. As they grow older there will be plenty of time for them to “hit the books,” but in learning to read, children need to discover the fun of unlocking language. Otherwise they begin on a shaky, stressed out foundation that will only lead them to loath learning itself. And that is not a future any parent desires for their children.
