- Books Waiting to be Read - Dawn Endico
The National Institute for Literacy contends that literacy for an individual starts when a person is an infant. What parents do to teach reading and writing before children ever near school age will help them later in life to flourish in their reading.
What can parents or guardians do to help their child NOT become one of those statistics? Below are simple steps anyone can follow to read a little (or a lot) with a child every day in March. Remember, every new word learned leads to a book that can be read.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, children whose parents read to them do better in school.
Read With the Child
Each day there is something new adults can do with their children to help them learn a love of reading. It doesn't have to be a struggle, just ease them into reading by doing things they enjoy.
During the first week, do things around the house. Parents may not have realized that these were even teaching times, but they are.
March 1 – have the child pick a book and read it to him. March 2 – the adult will pick the book to read to the child. March 3 – go to a child’s website and read something fun together. March 4 – take a trip to the nearest bookstore and browse reading titles. March 5 – read a pizza menu with the child while pointing out all his favorite toppings. March 6 – read the Sunday comics together.
In the second week of March, start incorporating some daily household functioning routines into the reading schedule.
March 7 – write a poem together and recite it for the family. March 8 – find and read the lyrics to a favorite kids song. March 9 – read the directions to a favorite game. March 10 – make a grocery list with her letting her write some of the items. March 11 – go to the market and let her read the family shopping list. March 12 – make a crossword puzzle using people and places familiar to her. March 13 – read a magazine article together.
Student Centered Learning Activities
In the third week, start to use student centered learning and let children guide their reading time.
March 14 – let the child read all incoming mail and deliver it to the correct person in the home. March 15 – take turns and each pick 3 words out of the dictionary and learn their proper spelling and meaning. March 16 – read and follow a brand new recipe together. March 17 – make up a St. Patrick’s Day limerick. March 18 – write a letter to the child telling him all the wonderful things about him and have him read it out loud. March 19 – put a note in his lunch or backpack so he can find it at school and know someone special is thinking about him. March 20 – find an article and read about the wonders of spring.
During the last week of March, have fun with reading. Make reading an enjoyable activity and not just another chore.
Fun Reading Ideas
March 21 – write poems on placemats (or a note under plates) and have each member of the family read theirs before dinner. March 22 – take a trip to the library and let her find her new favorite book amongst all the titles. Make sure enough time has been cleared for her to browse titles. March 23 – take a trip to a mall and have her read the stores names and signs. March 24 – hide a treat or a toy and write directions on a treasure map for her to follow.
March 25 – scroll through the television guide channel or TV Guide and let her read the shows and pick one to watch. March 26 – do a word search together. March 27 – read a Dr. Seuss book. March 28 – write and recite a tongue twister. March 29 – take a trip to a nursery and read seed packets to plan for spring. March 30 – have her write a letter to her favorite character. March 31 – write a "thank you note" to her for “just being herself.”
Reading with a child doesn’t have to be another chore. It doesn't have to be time consuming or even, epic. Make it fun. Make it simple. Gear reading time to the child's reading and understanding level. Every little thing done with a child adds up. One day, when children walk down that graduation aisle, parents who took the time to read to their children can be proud of their own accomplishments and know that they helped them get there – one letter at a time.
Reading is Rewarding
An entire month dedicated to reading is a start to a brighter future and doesn't have to end in March. Take time every day to do some type of reading with a child. It will open doors that may not have been possible before.
Vanessa Mullins - Vanessa lives with her husband and three children in the Midwest. She is the author of three novels; Rescued Heart and The Case of the ...
