I was talking with another teacher this afternoon about reading. I’m sure you already know this, but the primary indicator of future academic success is READING! This includes picture books, read alouds (at home and school), being surrounded by literature (think home library or bookshelves in various places in the home)…and MUCH of that happens at home. Do we read at CCP? Yes! Do we teach about books at CCP? Yes, I was in a class the other day in which the teacher was talking about the author, illustrator, etc. prior to reading the book aloud.
Do we teach kids how to read? Yes…this happens primarily in Kindergarten, but it BEGINS NOW. 2 and 3 year olds need to hear stories read aloud (they learn vocabulary, syntax, grammar, cadence….all through hearing stories being told!!). They learn that there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end, and they become fascinated with the details of the story over time (it’s really good to read books over and over–if you want to hear Goodnight Moon, knock on my office window, and I’ll come out–I only read it every night for 11.5 years!!!! I still start reciting it sometimes just to bring back those good ole grunt work days of 6 kids 10 and under!!!)
It’s NEVER to early to start reading aloud with your children. I had let this slip as life got busy when I went back to work, but just recently I picked it back up with my 9 and 12 year old, and we read aloud most school nights (the Little House series is great for read alouds, but we started with Carolyn Keene’s The Secret at the Hermitage (she’s the author of the Nancy Drew series of books–and they’re OLD, but the language and dialogue is so rich!). My kids loved the Hardy Boys series, Magic Tree House (when they were beginning to read), and Percy Jackson.
If we can model reading (they have to see you devoting time to reading), read with them, and find something that holds their interest, we are setting them up for success in LIFE, not just in school. Life-long readers are essentially life-long learners.
Go grab a book and start! Or keep going!
Peace on your evening,
Chris