Read to your children
by Sherry Brown
May 08, 2009
Parents as Teachers
We served 76 children last year through our program and 56
families – THANK YOU – to all of you who participated and let me
come to your home and spend time with your children.
Reading with your children should not happen only when school is in
session – but year round. Did you know that you can help your child
get ready to read even while he is very young? When an infant shows
excitement over pictures next to his crib, or a toddler turns the
pages of a board book, or a preschooler recognizes the first letter
of his name on a cereal box, each is demonstrating emerging
literacy skills. Reading to your child from birth is the best way
to make him a successful reader when he starts school.
Experts say…
Reading experts Susan Hall and Louise Moats sum up the benefits of
reading aloud to your child in the early years. Your child:
• develops background knowledge for more complicated learning
• builds vocabulary
• is exposed to rich language patterns
• learns the structure of a story
• learns how to handle books and becomes familiar with reading
• identifies reading as a pleasurable activity
Want to read more about the importance of reading to your child?
Look for these resources:
• Straight Talk About Reading by S. Hall and L. Moats
• Helping Your Child Become a Reader by U. S. Department of
Education Office of Intergovernmental Affairs ( we have copies of
this publication in the Lending Library at school)
