I love to read. I used to get in trouble sometimes for
reading too much (Really, Mom? The dishes can’t wait until I finish one more
chapter?). Books are my portal to new worlds, my escape, a source of
information, a joy.
I want my son to feel the same. He has books in every room
at our house and we go to story time almost every week. He loves to go to the
bookstore (though the train table COULD be some of the allure there!). He delights
in picking out new books at the library and is sometimes sad when it’s time for
a favorite to be returned so we can share it with other kids.
There is a lot of research out there about the importance of
early literacy: its effects on intelligence, school performance, and language
development. There are recommendations about how much “lap time” (time a child
sits on a care giver’s lap and reads books) is necessary for future school
success. According to many, television, the anti-book, is definitely not
helpful in developing all of these desired outcomes.
I haven’t read too much of the research about early
literacy, though I understand and agree with what I have read. I haven’t felt a
need to convince myself or even to grasp the myriad benefits of exposing my
little guy to books, starting before he was even born. I think all of those
things are fantastic, but mostly, I just want my little guy to be like me…I
want him to love books.
Why do YOU think early literacy is important? What are the
outcomes you think are most significant?
So far my 2.5 year old is just like me: a bookworm! I've read a ton of benefits too and I'm convinced :)
ReplyDeleteFirst, there's the actual reading part. Early literacy helps them identify words and letters. But then there's also the part where their imagination flourishes and he's exposed to so much of our world just from a book. And not to mention that reading is usually done with a parent and has so many positive associations with cuddling up next to someone for a good story.
I think reading has truly benefited him in so many ways, and I'm so glad he still continues to enjoy it.
Great points! I especially love the cuddling part...there's not much that's better than that! Glad you have a little bookworm, too...and thanks for stopping by here!
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