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2000 Volunteer Leader Training Guide
Read With Me
Printer Friendly Version (PDF)
Introduction
• Target Audience
• Objectives
• Suggested Activity
• Main Teaching Points
• Closing Remarks
• References
Introduction
Recent research into human brain development is proving that
parents, grandparents and caregivers are having a lasting impact on children’s
reading skills and literacy. Children develop much of their capacity for
learning in the first three years of life, when their brains grow to 90 percent
of their eventual weight. The opportunity for creating the foundation for
reading begins in the earliest years.
Studies show that many children are not being read to or even
introduced to books. A national survey found that less than half (48 percent) of
parents said they read or shared a picture book daily with their children ages 1
to 3. Even fewer, 39 percent of parents, read or looked at a picture book with
their infants at least once a day. Most alarmingly, one in six parents of an
infant (16 percent) said they do not read to their child at all. The 1996
National Household Education Survey did find some positive trends involving
preschoolers. Fifty-seven percent of children ages 3 to 5 were read to every day
by a family member in 1996.
Target Audience
Grandparents, parents and caregivers.
Objectives
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To introduce information to participants about
the importance of reading to children in the early years.
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To help participants understand what knowledge
young children gain from having early experiences with books.
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To help participants choose appropriate books
for young children.
Suggested Activity
At the beginning of the program, encourage participants to make
a list of some of their favorite books from their childhood or a list of books
they enjoy reading to children. Ask them to share what they learned from these
books. Ask them what they think young children learn from these books.
Main Teaching Points
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Experiences with stories can build a positive
attitude towards reading and learning to read. A positive
component of reading to children is the personal interaction
with grandparents, parents, and caregivers. By reading together,
you can show children that reading is fun and important.
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Children who learn reading is fun and enjoyable
are more likely to continue efforts to learn to read. Some
experts believe that an emphasis on reading as entertainment,
rather than a skill, develops a more positive attitude towards
reading.
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There is no more important activity for
preparing a child to succeed as a reader than by reading aloud
together. Reading aloud to young children is so critical that
the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors
prescribe reading activities along with other advice given to
parents at regular check-ups.
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Reading books to children increases their
listening and speaking skills, helps them recognize letters and
helps them learn to speak. Reading books helps to develop
positive attitudes about reading.
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Grandparents, parents and caregivers should
first instill the love of books, then an interest in learning to
read will follow. Infants should be introduced to books
beginning as early as birth. Even though infants cannot
understand everything that is being read to them, they are
learning many words that will form the basis for language later.
With time, they begin to understand that words have meaning and
can be used to identify objects.
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The ideal books for infants and toddlers ages
three to six months should have simple, large pictures or
designs. This is also a good time to introduce the language of
nursery rhymes. Cloth and vinyl books are especially good for
this age because they are lightweight and easy for infants to
hold.
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Babies ages seven to nine months are beginning
to develop hand skills, which enable them to try and turn the
pages of the books. Books with thick, stiff pages are easier for
baby to turn.
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Babies ages 9 to 12 months begin to look at the
book’s content rather than its physical characteristics. They
are beginning to understand, recognize and relate objects and
events. Pictures which contain familiar objects and activities
are likely to be favorites. The actual story is beginning to be
of interest.
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Toddlers and older children really begin to
understand and enjoy reading books. Pictures can now be packed
with information and action. Storybooks intended for this age
will often have a picture on every page with only a small number
of words. Children/will spend a lot of time looking at pictures.
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Between the ages of four and seven, many
children begin to recognize words on a page. The child will
begin to repeat familiar stories. Add new books to the child’s
collection, but keep reading those enjoyable favorites.
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Refer to "Reading
Suggestions" handout. These suggestions help grandparents,
parents and caregivers encourage young children to look at books
and learn to read.
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Refer to "Reading
Resources" handout.
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Refer to "Look
for Books" handout. This is an activity to help choose the
best books for young children. The main thing is to find books
you both love. They will shape your child’s first impression of
reading.
Closing Remarks
By reading books together, grandparents, parents and caregivers
are in a unique position to help children enjoy reading and see the value in it.
It is an experience children will remember forever and one that forms the
foundation for learning.
References
More Than the ABCs: The Early Stages of Reading and Writing,
Judith A. Schickedanz. Boston University, 1986.
Young Children and Picture Books: Literature From Infancy to
Six, Mary Rench Jalongo. National Association for the Education of Young
Children, Washington, DC. 1988.
Traci Johnston, Assistant Specialist - Child Care
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