When we think about raising a reader, or imagine a child embedded in bed, bathed in the soft glow of a night light, listening to a father to read a story aloud.
That scene is Magical. But after more than 10 years of studying how children become readers and interviewing experts in literacy and child development, I have learned that Raise’s powerful movements of Reader of Raise are not limited when bedtime.
On the other hand, it can make them happen at any time of the day, in small forgettable tissues through family life, mainly without a book in hand.
Take advantage of every day Literacy opportunities are importantBecause a strong reading at primary school is a Powerful predictor of long -term success. Children who read early are more likely to Stay at school for longer” Land better jobsand Ear more money.
Here are five things that parents who raise successful readers do differently from the beginning:
1. They treat baby babble as a conversation
Before their babies can speak, these parents speak.
When their little coos or babble, they respond with real words, making visual contact, smiling, knowing the moment. They hold “conversations”, tune in the sounds and the gaze of babies, then responding with words, encouragement and stop to wait for the child’s response.
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This loving round trip interaction, known as Serve and returnBuild the basis for the development of language and healthy brain architecture, According to the Harvard center in the developing child.
And increases learning along with the connection. Research These dynamic and receptive chats in the first two years of a child prepared the stage for preschool literacy skills such as expressive vocabulary and lyrics -note and solid knowledge.
2. They ask many questions and expect answers
Thesis The parents ask His issues of babies at home, in the car, while they were in charge:
- “What’s that?”
- “Do you see the dog?”
- “Ready to turn the page?”
Simple? YEAH. But powerful. And as children grow up, the questions can become more complex.
The studies show That children whose parents ask more questions, and leave space for answers, build stronger vocabularies and a deeper knowledge of childhood. They understand and use more words, which is a good omen for the understanding of reading in the future.
Power is not only asking. It is giving children the opportunity to respond. That is what makes them think and when learning occurs.
3. They talk about letters of letters – Memorando only names or shapes
Smart parents Make a point to talk about letters. They detect them on wild street signs, in recipes, in t -shirts and invite children to notice them as well. They tell while writing lists and notes in front of their children, pointing out how the letters form. They maintain blocks of letters and magnets for the daily game.
Here is the real manufacturer of difference: they talk to children about the sounds that make the letters, not just their forms and names. If they detect an egg cardboard in the grocery store or at home, they could track an E with the fingertips and say: “This is the letter E. A long line down, three short lines wide.
A study They discovered that parents reported that they used an average or 14 different types of materials to expose their children to letters. But Observational research It shows that the best intentional parents are not linking letters with sounds as often as they think of the daily conversation.
Learning to play words is necessary to read. Parents who talk about letters of letters help their children understand that cards are just a speech captured on the page.
4. They play with words
Think, “Peter Piper picked up a sneak pepper”, or “sale to besashells for the Seashore.”
The rhymes, the songs, the tongue twisters and the silly words game are not just fun: they help children listen and play with sounds inside the words. And that is essential for reading. Before children can match sounds with letters, they have to listen to those sounds clearly.
This son of listening does not happen by accident. It grows when children get many easy chans to notice, compare, segment, mix and exchange sounds.
5. They are readable moments throughout the day
Research A clear link between the amount of reading of early books with children and subsequent understanding skills of children.
But the parents of the most avid and successful readers do not keep reading for bedtime. They share books and other meals of text duration, bathroom schedules, waiting schedules – Any Time.
This opens more hours and opportunities to nurture literacy language and skills wherever it is. Street signs, menus and product labels can be a dignified material.
And read earlier in the day, when children are more energetic, often Spare more conversationQuestions and Learning.
The more often children listen, come and talk about words, smarter will be to read them.
Maya Payne Smart He is an early literacy lawyer, an parents’ educator committed to closing the reading achievement gap and the author “Reading for our lives: the urgency of early literacy and the action plan to help your child“(Avery/Penguin Random House). She works as a faculty at the University of Marquette and has Harvard and Northwestern titles. Mayasmart.com And follow her Instagram.
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