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by Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D.
Special to Tropical Breeze
Then there was the expectant mom who read
to her child BEFORE the baby was born. Why? This might provide
beginning sounds which shape all that the child thinks and says --
as she perhaps regularly hears her native language, even before she
is born, day one. The momma-to-be likely might rest in that waiting
rocker, singing or reading songs and stories which she and the
newborn already enjoy! It's possible!
There's no question but that the more
language the tiny child hears and shares with mom and dad after
birth, the more verbal that child may become. At the very least
children who are listening are forming language patterns and
learning their native language. It seems true that the more
language a child hears, the more he or she is likely early on to
understand and enjoy the language, much less mimic it, as in
talking.
Start reading right away. Tiny child in
your lap with one of the first books set up right in front of her.
Pointing to pictures and naming colorful images is also language
productive. It's likely that some books become so beloved, so
popular with a child, that he asks to hear the selection over and
over. His asking maybe just pointing at the book or smiling at mom
or dad, recognizing as the book is brought into their sight.
Maybe there is a rhyming or rhythmic
pattern which draws the little one's attention. Since even very
young children enjoy hearing a picture book read to them, home from
the hospital? Start the reading that day!
Besides the books parents may have already
bought or been given for the new baby, it's a good idea to visit
the children's room at your public library. Talk with the
children's librarian about titles that are known to please little
ones. Find out if there is a library program for babies and small
children. Some libraries have a regular weekly story hour for the
youngest patrons (and their accompanying caregiver or parent).
Children copy us. We see them moving to
music to which we're also bobbing about. Children see us read and
handle books?
No surprise when they do the same, if
given the chance. I remember one of my sons lying in his crib with
a big book open to him, held in place like a tent by his grandma.
They were "reading" it together.
New young moms pack a couple books in
their carry-all diaper bags. Think about it. Most adults pack some
reading matter in their luggage on trips--maybe a magazine or a
late novel. Baby on the move every day? Pack some reading matter
for the tiny traveler as well. You never know when you need a
diaper, a juice, or a terrific book.
When looking for a nanny or babysitter,
one screening activity before hiring, might be that the candidate
will read to her/charges every visit, maybe even reading aloud to
the mom or dad first. To be sure, books might be provided by
parents -- to make sure the titles are the right level.
I was tickled to see my niece Casey, an
elementary reading teacher, offer her daughter a feast of books and
early visits to the library and choosing books together. At 17
months, her daughter, Kennedy is truly enthusiastic about books --
often making it clear she really wants to be read to. Now!
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At the library, Palm Harbor Grandma Libby Burke happily shares a book with her intrigued 17-month-old granddaughter, Kennedy.
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| PHOTO FOR TROPICAL BREEZE COURTESY OF CASEY BURKE |
One of my favorite recent family photos
shows Kennedy's grandmother, my sister Libby, sitting on a library
couch, both of them clearly engaged in reading a book.
Other suggestions for early reading to
younger children include picking books that are in a series, a
desirable link to still another book, and another, one suggestion
being the adventurous Curious George monkey books. Another idea is
that if someone asks what they might give the child on a birthday
or holiday, offer some titles from a handy list you have already
developed. Librarian or large bookstore for ideas. If older
children, ask school library information specialist (librarian) for
an appropriate reading list.
The main idea is read to your child every
day from the very beginning. Don't stop. Some parents think when
their children learn to read, they can then stop reading to the
youngsters. It will be years before that child can read as well as
the parent.
Those parents who read daily to a child
really believe that your family matters.
© 2007 Rosemary Lee Potter. All
Rights Reserved.
Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D., has been a
teacher since 1960, including 21 years at Safety Harbor Middle
School, and is now a reading teacher at Carwise Middle School, Palm
Harbor. Contact her at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or by mail in care
of Tropical Breeze, P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
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