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By
Catherine M. Pruissen
Reading
is one of life's greatest pleasures. It can take us
to far away places, introduce us to unforgettable
characters, set our mind free of all stress and worry,
and teach us fascinating things about ourselves; our
world. And of course, the ability to read helps us
to cope efficiently with everyday life for much of
our ability to get ahead, to become what we always
dreamed of being, is rooted in our capacity to recognize
words.
Reading
To Infants
Even at the infant stage children learn the value
of books. Much of the attraction is the sound of their
parent's or caregiver's voice, the rhythm of nursery
rhymes, the melody of song. Pictures, too, play an
important role in the charm. In their book, Make
Your Child A Lifelong Reader, authors Jacquelyn
Gross, Ed.D. and Leonard Gross, note the following
guidelines for choosing Starter Books For The Very
Young.
- Look
for clear and forceful illustrations and typeface.
- Look
for subject matter which your child can relate to.
- Look
for text and illustrations that elicit physical
or emotional responses.
A
well stocked infant library would include any number
of colorfully illustrated Mother Goose, song, animal,
alphabet and counting books, as well as a variety
of simple picture and board books which the baby can
cling to, flip through, and enjoy.
The
Toddler and the Story Book
"Goodnight room ... Goodnight moon ... Goodnight cow
jumping over the moon ..." goes the repetitious nature
of Margaret Wise Brown's book Goodnight Moon.
According to Good Books For A Good Start, a
publication of Health and Welfare Canada, repetition
"allows the younger reader to take in a somewhat longer
story." These include stories with the addition of
unusual items to a previous line-up or theme, or an
interactive story where children easily learn and
eagerly repeat a sequence of items or events.
Story
books for toddlers are comprised of simple ideas,
easy language and story lines that are clearly recognizable.
The rhythm of song and fairy tales remain an attraction
as do books with quality illustrations that enhance
the text. Picture books without text or wordless books
as they are often called, are also good for this age
group as they foster vocabulary building skills by
encouraging the children to make their own stories
to fit the pictures.
Story
Time for the Preschool Set
An increase in vocabulary and longer attention spans
make reading such books as Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix
Potter or the classics like The Three Little Pigs
or Cinderella a real joy for three to five
year olds. As they begin to develop a "sense of story"
these preschool kids are fascinated by realistic animal
stories. These adorable characters help children to
cope with feelings, with the stress of growing up.
By
the same token, they are just as eager to learn about
other children in other places or how the world works.
They favor books with repetition, love rhyme, and
adore pictures. When purchasing picture books for
preschool children, Jacquelyn Gross, Ed.D., and Leonard
Ross, Make Your Child A Lifelong Reader, suggest
the following:
- Look
for illustrations that have depth and meaning.
- Look
for stories that have drama, characterization, and
an absorbing plot.
- Look
for books in which illustrations and stories work
together to create emotional moods.
- Look
for strong themes.
Reading,
Books, and Daycare
A quality child care program will include a daily
story time where children, in their respective age
groups, can relax on pillows, throw cushions, or a
comfy chair, and listen to stories presented by the
caregiver, a volunteer, or even the local librarian.
Story time should be a relaxing, quiet activity that
is not rushed. The children should be encouraged to
ask questions, comment on the illustrations, tell
the group what they liked about the story, how it
made them feel. A good book can often be followed
by related art, craft or other activities. Other
components of a quality reading program include:
- weekly
visits to the local library
- field
trips to family resource centers and libraries where
the children can partake in "story time" programs
- visits
from the local librarian to read to the children,
to discuss the center's or home's reading program
and choice of books, or to address a meeting of
parents and staff about the importance of reading
to children
- a
lending library where children can borrow books
from the center for home use
- a
well-developed and maintained infant, toddler and
preschool library
- a
free period that allows children to utilize, flip
through, and enjoy books.
More than anything else, children like to mimic adults
- they watch us constantly. If a child sees a parent
or provider read, and do so often, they themselves
will pick up a book. Even if they only look at the
pictures, if they do so often enough, they will begin
a lifelong reading habit that will enhance their lives.
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Resources
Make Your Child A Lifelong Reader, by Jacquelyn
Gross, Ed.D., Leonard Gross. Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc.
Publisher
Good
Books For A Good Start, Health & Welfare Canada.
Copies may be obtained from: Child Care Program, Health
& Welfare Canada, 6th Floor, Brooke Claxton Building,
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 1B5
Caring
For Children In Your Home, Ohio Dept. of Human
Services.
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