How to Initiate Reading at an Early Age

I am excited to share an article with you, on early reading development by a guest writer Emily Patterson. Emily is currently working as a communications coordinator for Primrose Schools, providing written work to the blogosphere which highlights the importance, and some of the specific aspects, of a quality, early childhood, education. Through an accelerated Balanced LearningR curriculum,Primrose Schools students are exposed to a widely diverse range of subject matter giving them a much greater opportunity to develop mentally,physically and socially.

Submitted on behalf of Primrose Schools: day care services helping to develop active minds and happy hearts by Emily Patterson: 

For decades, we have known that reading to a child and providing them with interactive experiences with books will have a profound impact on how they do in school later in life. There are different stages in which parents can start reading to their children, some starting even when the child is in the womb. The interaction is often much more fun and interesting to the child if you discuss the pictures in the book with exaggeration. It isn’t necessarily important to follow the story. Interaction should be your goal.

Reading to your child from an early age is crucial to raising an avid reader, even when they are already reading in school or preschool. However, you don’t want this time together to seem forced. One of America’s most trusted baby experts, Robert Needlman, M.D., author of Dr. Spock’s Baby Basics states that “There is no prescription for this. The only prescription is to allow some time each day that you can sit down, connect with your child, and read together. The main thing is to allow it to occur in a way that’s joyful, that conveys enjoyment to the child–from enjoyment, the rest will follow.”

Knowing how to choose the right books for your child is also important for retaining their attention. Ideally, the books will have frequent, distinct illustrations. The writing in the book should be rhythmic and simple. Choose something that you will like, along with your child, because you are more likely to be more enthusiastic about the reading. Your child will sense this and these books too. Children will also often like for the same books to be read repeatedly to them, so choosing something that isn’t going to annoy you is going to prove to be more productive for both you. When you are both enjoying a book, your child will naturally develop a love for literature, and watching this happen will make you do the same.

Here are some tips to help you with ensuring that your child loves to read:

-Start reading to your child at infancy, and as early as possible, encourage participation.
-Surround your child with books that are appropriate for their age. Remember, children like lots of bright illustrations, and simple language. Make sure they are of varying topics.
-Don’t forget how much time your child spends out of the house. Keep books available for long trips and for whenever your child needs to be entertained while waiting.
-Maintain a strong relationship with your child’s teacher. Ask for recommendations on books that the child can relate back to classroom.
-Allow older children to “read” to you aloud. They may not read the actual story, but they will usually go to the pictures and relate them to their own story. This is a very important stage in developing literacy. It means that the child is aware that books are meant to tell a story. Allow them to retell the story in whatever way is entertaining them at the moment, and encourage them. They are often very proud of being able to “read”.

Communication is the most important skill you will teach your child. Babies will come out of the womb fascinated with learning how to communicate and how language works. Along with singing and talking to your child, reading is the most important thing you can do to encourage this natural fascination. This will help them understand how written language works, instead of just spoken. This cognitive learning requires a healthy support system from an adult. Ensure that you are doing the best for your child’s development, and make reading together a part of your everyday life.

Thank you, Emily, for that helpful information, as parents we can all benefit from insights like these. We hope to hear more from you on early childhood development in the future!  😀

(@epatt1062)