If I had one educational piece of advice to give all parents it would be to READ READ READ to your child. And I mean AFTER they turn 5. After they learn to read.
We see enough about reading to our preschoolers and little ones, but it shouldn’t stop there! Unfortunately, most parents back off once a child can read on their own. As soon as their child picks up their first chapter book, parents stop reading to them.
Do. Not. Let. That. Happen.
Well, you can let them read on their own. But continue to read to them on a regular basis.
There a million reasons for this and I am more and more convinced of it each year. I hear it continually at educational conferences and conventions. And I see it daily as I educate my own children.
So why keep reading to them, other than for the sake of enjoying and discussing great literature with your kids?
Ok, so here are some thoughts…
1. Take it up a notch for them!
Literature written for children these days isn’t great literature, in general. Books might be fun, funny, or exciting, but the vocabulary and complexity isn’t there.
Don’t believe me? Just pick up a “Junie B. Jones” or “Judy Moody” book. Then there is the ever popular, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” UGH.
Twaddle!
Character relationships are based on sarcasm and superficial conversations. Plots are often ridiculous and thin. Of course, kids love these books and parents are usually “just glad they are reading something.”
Ok, fine. I get that. My child reads quite a bit of twaddle for her free time reading. Right now she enjoys a series about a hamster named, “Humphrey”…sigh…
But this horrible quality of children’s literature is a huge reason you should not stop reading to children as often as possible. You get to take them beyond the twaddle they select for themselves. You can select literature of a higher quality to enjoy with them. You are able to introduce them to more complex stories and developed characters.
Children are able to listen and comprehend literature far above their own reading level. So when they put down the series book, you can introduce them to a historical fiction such as, “The Witch of Blackbird Pond.” (one of our favorites so far this year for my 2nd and 3rd grader)
2. Quality literature builds vocabulary.
This one is probably common sense. “The Secret Garden” or “Pinocchio” beat out “The Magic Treehouse series anyday! Pick higher quality and more complex literature for your kids and dive in!
They will be more well equipped speakers, writers and readers as a result!
3. Teachable moments.
Reading a book to your child will inevitably lead to discussion. You get to teach them how to attack and interact with literature. Together, you might analyze a character’s decision, the complexity of relationships in the book, or just laugh about the irony of a storyline. You might discuss parallels with your own life or lessons they characters are learning that you might like to apply. The discussions are endless and they don’t need to include worksheets, assignments or anything formal. Just read and talk.
4. A love a good literature.
Memories of good books on the sofa, in the car, or snuggled up in bed can begin a lifelong journey that could include a love of literature.
Now there is no guarantee that your kids will love to read just because you read to them, but it does increase the chances.
And there is no guarantee that they won’t want to read twaddle as teenagers just because you read them beautiful classics as children, but perhaps attacking a Charles Dickens novel will feel less intimidating because they have been discussing higher level literature with their parents throughout their lives.
5. Finally…family time.
Reading is just a great thing to do as a family. You build your own relationships as you gather around a good book. It’s a pause in the day, a way to interact, and can create treasured memories.
Personally, I still remember sitting on the staircase in middle school while my father read aloud, “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” to my siblings and I.
***NOTE: #1, 2, and 4 are great reasons to read books to your kids, but it doesn’t mean that every book you read aloud to them has to be fabulously high quality literature. It’s perfectly acceptable to read a Magic Treehouse book, a Beverly Cleary, or a Harry Potter book to them. (HP happens to be one of the many we are in the midst of)
You can still enjoy great family memories and teachable moments no matter what you choose to read!
What to do if you can’t read well, hate to read, or just can’t pause that long in most days?
Get a book on CD and listen together. This can be done in the car, while you are cooking dinner, after dinner, or anytime. A few months ago we invested in one of those under the cabinet CD players for the kitchen and it has been WONDERFUL for this very purpose.
Personally, I like to get the book and the CD so I can alternate times when I read and times when I get to listen. Each has its own benefit.
There are a million ways to accomplish the task of reading good literature to your older children. Just make it a priority as much as possible.
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