Helping children learn to read

Research into early reading shows numerous elements that help children become readers. Teachers know these factors; and if parents know also, they can support their children at home with some of the same information. I comment on some of them in no particular order.

One, exposing children to books and literature from infancy, maybe even before birth, helps them as readers when they go to school. The town library has an excellent elementary collection of books that parents can use all year long, in addition to the elementary school library collection during the regular school year.

Two, making children aware of print around them (cereal boxes, store signs and symbols, freeway signs, etc.) gives them a foundation that print in the environment is meant to be read. How many children identify the Golden Arches as McDonald’s long before they read the words? That is what is at work here. It’s a necessary step to becoming a reader.

Three, parents’ reading aloud 10 to 30 minutes a day (depending on age) does inform children about reading and helps them become confident they can become and are readers. We read to our sons into their junior high years.

Being aware of letters, words, labels, and letter sounds in real-life situations gives children a good preparation for school. Our youngest son identified the D in "Danny and the Dinosaur" as his name because his name also began with a D. For awhile, every D word was "Danny." He was on his way to becoming a reader.

Making regular trips to the library is a terrific boost for children. I have seen them come into the elementary library with glowing, smiling faces on library day. They are so tickled to get a new book! In addition to the school library, do visit the town library as often as possible, too. A great collection of children’s books is there, too. Children love going to the library.

As I have written earlier, parents’ and teachers’ reading to children on a regular basis enables the children to become readers. Children need to hear books read long before they can really read. Pretend reading is also a great way to get into reading and learn the value of books. We set aside at least 10-20 minutes a night to read to our sons.

Giving children a rich and varied experience with the world does give them background knowledge they can use as they read. Trips to another city, to a museum, to a zoo, to the fair, to the park, etc. widens their life experiences and helps them connect to books they read. Prior knowledge is vital in reading, as adults full well know.

Week 6 article on Reading: Dr. Duane Pitts is a former English teacher at Odessa High School.