As we begin our new school year, I would like to tell you about our reading philosophy. The author and writer Dylan Thomas once said, “My education was the liberty I had to read indiscriminately and all the time, with my eyes hanging out.” He was telling us that he was given the freedom to read what he liked, as often as he liked and that he became completely caught up in the story. We hope to instill that kind of love of reading into all of our children.
For reading at home with you, the children will be able to choose freely from a wide range of reading material, both fiction and non-fiction. A small selection will be available in the classroom and of course our wonderful library has an extensive and exciting collection of books for young children. Please take your child to our library and make book choices together. You will find that it provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for you and your child to spend time together.
The National Academy of Education which was funded by the U.S. Department of Education set up the Commission on Reading. The primary findings in their report was that, “The single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” We are sending some tips for you on this subject from the acclaimed children’s author Mem Fox. Her book “Reading Magic” is written for parents and explains “why reading aloud to your children will change their lives forever”. This book is highly recommended and is in our library. It is full of great ideas to motivate children to read in a way that brings fun and pleasure to all of the family. Mem also has an extensive book list that she recommends, many of which are in our wonderful library. You can also find material from Mem on the internet if you google her name.
Your children may also bring home books with no words but wonderful illustrations which in themselves “tell a story”. It is important to validate your children’s choices so that all books become an opportunity to play games with the words, to have discussions about the illustrations, to delve into the ideas behind the story and to establish what it is that your child finds so engaging about the book. View every book as an opportunity to interact positively with your child.
It is also important for you to realize that you do not have to read only in English to your child. It is good to read to your child in his/her own mother-tongue: in fact this is essential in order for your child to develop good language skills which can be transferred to any additional language.
Reading with your child should be a joyful experience. The poet John Masefield once wrote, “The days that make us happy make us wise”. Always remember the power you have to help your child love reading.
Here is a quote from the author Emilie Buchwald which sums it up nicely: “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents”.
Books At Home
Make Books A Special Part Of Everyday Life
- Spend at least ten widely happy minutes every single day reading aloud.
- Let your children choose books that interest them whatever they may be.
- Be physically close to your child as you share books together. One of the best parts about reading aloud is having your child sit snuggled up to you.
- Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice. Be expressive, loud, quiet and have fun and laugh a lot!
- Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.
- Read the stories that the children love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.
- Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.
- Talk about the books and ask “why, “how,” “what do you think” and “what if” questions.
- Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children.
- Play games with the things that you and your child can see on the page, such as letting the children finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous fun game.
- Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books. Remember reading should be a pleasure for you and your children.
- Visit the library often to borrow books with your child.
- Let your children see you read – books, newspapers, cookbooks or magazines.
- Give books for birthday and special occasions.
- Your children will probably want you to continue reading to them long after they are capable of doing it independently – because reading aloud isn’t just about reading. It’s a warm, loving experience that we hope that you’ll continue for as long as your child desires.
