"Reading is the result of a complex process that relies heavily on previously acquired spoken language, but also requires the learning of specific skills," writes David Sousa in his book "How the Brain Learns." Therefore, any time spent reading with children from day one will aide in their reading skills as they get older. Kid's brains are constantly seeking new information and it's up to parents to provide them with conversation to spark vocabulary and a general desire to learn more.
Exposure
Exposing kids to all kinds of reading materials is a great way to introduce them to the excitement involved in learning how to read. In "Reading Magic," Mem Fox refers to child development expert Sue Hill, saying "bonding and literacy development happen even when we read---and talk about---ordinary things with our children, such as Christmas catalogs, cereal boxes and magazines." Take the opportunity daily to read all you can to children and encourage them to do the same.
Reading Aloud
Fox also notes the major importance of reading aloud to children from the time they're first born. Not only can the parents and child bond but the child learns through conversation how to say new words and generate sentences. Reading aloud is another way to keep the talking active, and Fox suggests "the reader and the listener can chat endlessly about the story, the pictures, the words, the values, and the ideas."
Decoding
Learning to sound out words is the first way kids begin to understand reading. Phonetic learning is the natural way kids see words, and as Sousa recommends, "readers should be taught to discern the individual sounds within the words, and try to say them aloud. Dog is duh-awh-guh." Kids are quick to memorize new facts like silent letters and long and short vowels, but the initial learning period consists of sounding out the letters to form words.
Variety
Teaching veteran Linda Gambrell writes in "Teaching Struggling Readers," "I have long been convinced that the central and most important goal of reading instruction is to foster the love of reading." So many types of books are available, and it's important to expose kids to a variety of materials to spark their specific interests.
Conversation
One of the best ways to help children acquire reading skills is to have long and in-depth conversations with them, even before they can talk. When changing baby, narrate your actions and use eye contact to engage baby. Although she may not speak an actual word in the conversation, her body language and excited noises confirm she's just as involved. Kids love attention and nurturing, and not only do conversations help her learn to speak but also give her a head start for learning how to read.
References
- "How the Brain Learns"; David Sousa; Corwin Press, Inc.; 2001
- "Reading Magic"; Mem Fox; Harcourt, Inc.; 2008
- "Teaching Struggling Readers"; Richard Allington; International Reading Association, Inc.; 1998
