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Encouraging a Love of Reading
One of the greatest gifts child care program staff can give to children is the ability to enjoy reading. Reading experts believe a love for reading develops when children are regularly read to, when they are shown the delights of poetry, and when trusted adults share special books with them.
When children discover that the experiences of characters in books are similar to their own, they seek out books for answers and comforts. This is one reason why it is so important to include books in the program that reflect the children’s cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Once children have the opportunity to see themselves in books, they can also find links to their own experiences that depict cultural backgrounds different than their own. By seeing that people who look differently than they do can share similar feelings, they vicariously experience the lives of many different people. Books link children to the past and offer them hope for the future.
Selecting developmentally appropriate books for school-age children may seem like a difficult task. Picture books and early readers appeal to 5- to 7-year-olds. These books tend to be well illustrated to help children make the transition from what they see to what the printed word says. They also tend to be organized into chapters, like more advanced reading books. Many of these books are wonderful for shared reading experiences.
Many classics are enjoyed by 8-to 10-year olds. Adventure stories, mysteries, fairy tales, folk tales, and chapter books make appealing and exciting reading.
Older school-age children like reading about real people. They like reading about the teenagers they will soon be. Plots dealing with romance, family relationships, and school are always appealing, as are biographies and stories of beloved animal pets.
Librarians and teachers can help select books. Look, too, for books that are previous winners of the John Newberry and Randolph Caldecott Medals. These medals are awarded annually by a committee of children's libraries to distinguished authors and artists.
It may also be important to include books that build on field trips, clubs or special activities offered in your program and books that respond well to problems experienced by children such as moving to a new home or adjusting to divorce. Books of short stories are helpful, also, because they include fewer characters and simpler plots. Children sometimes like to use short stories as the basis for developing skits and plays. Finally, try to include a variety of general reference materials and magazines and special-interest journals.
Some suggestions for encouraging children to become readers:
One of the greatest gifts child care program staff can give to children is the ability to enjoy reading. Reading experts believe a love for reading develops when children are regularly read to, when they are shown the delights of poetry, and when trusted adults share special books with them.
When children discover that the experiences of characters in books are similar to their own, they seek out books for answers and comforts. This is one reason why it is so important to include books in the program that reflect the children’s cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Once children have the opportunity to see themselves in books, they can also find links to their own experiences that depict cultural backgrounds different than their own. By seeing that people who look differently than they do can share similar feelings, they vicariously experience the lives of many different people. Books link children to the past and offer them hope for the future.
Selecting developmentally appropriate books for school-age children may seem like a difficult task. Picture books and early readers appeal to 5- to 7-year-olds. These books tend to be well illustrated to help children make the transition from what they see to what the printed word says. They also tend to be organized into chapters, like more advanced reading books. Many of these books are wonderful for shared reading experiences.
Many classics are enjoyed by 8-to 10-year olds. Adventure stories, mysteries, fairy tales, folk tales, and chapter books make appealing and exciting reading.
Older school-age children like reading about real people. They like reading about the teenagers they will soon be. Plots dealing with romance, family relationships, and school are always appealing, as are biographies and stories of beloved animal pets.
Librarians and teachers can help select books. Look, too, for books that are previous winners of the John Newberry and Randolph Caldecott Medals. These medals are awarded annually by a committee of children's libraries to distinguished authors and artists.
It may also be important to include books that build on field trips, clubs or special activities offered in your program and books that respond well to problems experienced by children such as moving to a new home or adjusting to divorce. Books of short stories are helpful, also, because they include fewer characters and simpler plots. Children sometimes like to use short stories as the basis for developing skits and plays. Finally, try to include a variety of general reference materials and magazines and special-interest journals.
Some suggestions for encouraging children to become readers:
- Read aloud to the children
- Encourage skilled readers to read to younger children
- Share the classic stories you enjoyed as a child
- Let children read to you as often as possible
- Stress that reading is a pleasure, not a chore
- Be a role model
- Play language and reading games
The course does not "save" your progress. Use the checklist provided to track your progress, and click on the link in the menu to return to where you left off in the training.
