As an educator and a mom, I always think about learning. I taught for many years in the public school system in NYC and have seen lots of students lag behind in reading. Most of my students even confessed that they hated reading!
For me, the most important thing to be given to your child is a love for books.
Start Early
I cannot tell you how many times students have told me they never had someone read to them. For various reasons, parents often discount the importance of this in developing their child’s love for reading. Many parents argue that they don’t have time (working moms, I hear you!), but even one book a night shows your child that reading is important.
Would you forego brushing your child’s teeth, bathing them, or feeding them a meal because you didn’t have time? Reading is just as important! Build it into your nightly routine and watch your child blossom! I began reading to my daughter each night when she was only three days old. While I’m pretty sure there were times she was chewing on the books more than anything, she now enjoys her books, and she’s only two years old.
Have Lots of Books Available
My daughter and I have books all over the house. Some are in her room, our living room, and even in our car. When the mood strikes, we often stop what we are doing and cuddle up with a good book. Sometimes, she even “reads” on her own. Essentially, she flips through the pages of her book on her own and often has some sort of indecipherable conversation with herself.
You don’t have to run and buy hundreds of books! The idea is to have books around your home, even if there are only a few. Place them in a bin and let your child choose, handle, and chew on them! Books are meant to be broken in and used. Your local library probably has a book sale now and again. Check them out for amazing deals on sturdy board books that are perfect for babies and toddlers.
It’s Not Actually About Reading
When I began reading to my daughter, sometimes she would flip pages, skip some, and pause to point to and identify pictures and objects. This is perfectly normal! Don’t worry if your child doesn’t want to read a book cover to cover but wants to look at the fascinating pictures inside. This is where they are exploring the magic of reading!
Pictures are very much a part of the story itself and our language. Allow your child to identify familiar objects, animals, and colors in the text. This is all part of the process of learning to read. Never force your child! If they want you to read a book repeatedly (yes, I can recite Goodnight, Moon in my sleep), let them do it!
Read Some Helpful Books
Don’t know where to start? While I love books, I was overwhelmed by the number of children’s books that line the bookstore and library shelves. As an adolescent educator, I can point students to some of the best Young Adult Literature, but Children’s Literature was not my thing. I had to research and found two great books that offer wonderful information. I fell in love with The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease and Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky. Both books discuss the merits of reading aloud, ignoring pressures to have your child read at a certain age, and helpful hints and stories for you to use.
Make Friends with Your Local Library
I must admit that when I applied for a library card two years ago, I hadn’t stepped foot in an actual library in years. What a fantastic resource it is! Most libraries have classes for all ages, which include rhymes, story time, and even book clubs for older children. The best part? They are all free!
Your local librarian can offer insight into titles your child might enjoy. It’s a free resource, so use it as much as you can. Maybe with the library in your town? Check out the libraries in the surrounding towns for additional classes and resources. It’s also wonderful to get into the habit of bringing your child to the library, and a change of scenery is always exciting to a child.
There are so many ways to connect your child with reading. I never recommend forcing them or using reading as a punishment. Read to and with your children and find books together. If you aren’t a lover of literature yourself, now is the time to start and get lost in a great book. You would benefit both yourself and your child, and what could be better than that?