Summer ReadingWhy you need to read to your child...
Reading to your child is more than a way of spending time with her or him. It's more than a way of bonding with your child.
It's more than a pastime. It's more than something your child enjoys.
Of course, reading to your child is all of these things. But there's more to it.
It helps ensure success in school, and in life. Really! Reading to your child helps your child build something called early literacy.
What is early literacy?
photo by Carf
What is literacy?
Literacy allows someone to:
- achieve their goals
- develop to their potential
- take part in society
Literacy is the ability to:
- read and write, and to
- communicate by reading, writing, listening and speaking
To be ready to read, and ready for school, kids:
- need to learn important skills now
- must have early literacy: what kids know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write
- need to be read to
Teach these six pre-reading skills ... by reading to your child. They can start learning from birth!
- Liking books
(a.k.a. Print Motivation)
Being interested in and enjoying books. - Knowing the names of things
(a.k.a. Vocabulary)
Knowing the name of things. - Following the words on a page
(a.k.a. Print Awareness)
Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page. - Knowing about letters
(a.k.a. Letter Knowledge)
Knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere. - Knowing the sound structure of a word
(a.k.a. Phonological Awareness)
Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words. - Describe things and tell stories
(a.k.a. Narrative Skills)
Being able to describe things and events and tell stories.