Children benefit from a reading routine at home
Print Edition
TWO admired virtues of children regardless of background are creativity and imagination. As educators, we see these qualities every day through our interaction with them. Furthermore, a child’s creativity and imagination expand as they read various forms of text. However, how can we develop these skills through everyday reading?
For parents, it is essential to have a routine of reading at home. Children have routines for brushing teeth and washing up before bedtime. Why not establish a reading time as well? Children are more likely to take part in something that happens habitually than periodically. One key point is to set up a time 15 to 20 minutes every day to read with your children. It can be right after dinner or leading up to bedtime.
Not only can you set this time, but you can make it special and unique. You can decorate a special “reading corner” in your house that can include any items that will help you both settle in this routine: reading chair, reading buddies such as stuffed animals, posters, your own personal library. The choices are limitless. You can even set up a small table or area to respond to reading with pictures, drawings and their own original stories.
One glorious thing about your reading routine is that you can feel free to make it as dynamic as you see fit. You can set up different types and methods of reading each day. For example: one day you read to your child from a story, the next day could be reading together different captions of newspapers and magazines, the next day could be comics. Additionally, give your child freedom to choose material to read. Let them be courageous with their choices and support them with encouragement.
Children are likely to participate more once they see progress. This can be achieved through a reading-tracking chart. You can keep track everyday to which book you read, the author, pages and it can even include a ranking or response. After some time, you watch the progress of your reading. You may see your child start reading bigger and more adventurous books. There’s nothing better than looking back and seeing how far you have come.
These are all great ways to get started to with everyday reading. If you still feel unsure or have questions about your child’s reading, talk with your child’s teacher about your idea. They have knowledgeable insight to your child’s reading and skills. They may even suggest material that ties in with school projects and themes or question strategies for higher-thinking skills. This will mutually benefit everyone involved, as there is no stronger partnership than parents and teachers.
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