Reading Lasts a Lifetime
Making Reading and important part of your Katy Cutie’s Life
March 25, 2010 – Katy, Texas – One of my favorite quotes is, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents†(Emilie Buchwald). As a reading teacher, I know all too well the absolute importance that habitual reading (a minimum of twenty minutes spent reading each day outside of school) plays in the development of a child’s emotional and academic growth. Studies show that children who are exposed regularly to the joys of literature from a young age consistently rank in the top percentile when they are at the secondary level. Not only are vocabulary development and comprehension skills stronger than those of their peers, but knowledge gained through voracious reading then applies to all areas of the curriculum.
But what can a parent do when reading is a chore for a youngster? Read aloud, say the experts. Careful selection of high interest books can be a wonderful way to “reel†a reader into the joy of books. Young children typically enjoy repetitive books or books that contain rhymes. For an older child, selecting books that have sequels can sometimes entice a reader to want to continue a saga. I have found that tying books that have become movies helped to support my own reluctant reader son. Knowing that we would soon view the book’s movie was a motivating factor for my middle son. Thankfully, parents have no end to movies that have been adapted from books. As a rule, parents should encourage children to read the book prior to seeing the movie. For a comprehensive list of children’s books made into movies, please visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_children’s_books_made_into_feature_films
By sharing a story together, parents create a bond with their child that creates lasting memories and forges learning well into the future.
What books have been successful with your child(ren)? Do you have stories about your youngster who at first did not seem anxious to read but who now gleefully reads with wild abandon? Please share!
