This is an old post, but the information is still relevant.
Based on the New York Daily News, Hillary Clinton as launched “Too small to Fail,”a charitable initiative funded by the Clinton Foundation, and Uni-vision, the Spanish-Language network; Too small to fail program will feature public announcements in Spanish, encouraging parents to read to their preschoolers.”
I think that this is a wonderful idea, since reading to your children at a young age not only increases language skills, but it also produces good writers. However, I do think that children should also be read to as infants. And as stated in the Article, “Clinton said. You are literally building brain cells when you talk to your child.” So starting early will also help your child, even if they don’t understand the concept of the book, you are still forming a bond with them.
Teachers can also incorporate reading time in their classrooms to ensure students are developing language skills in preschool as well; pair your stories with puppets or flannel board cut-outs, or make up your own story, whatever it takes to get students interested in reading.
A great way to incorporate reading books into your child’s schedule; is to based the books on the world around them , like holidays the seasons, the weather, friendship and school.
You will find that books can help you explain a lot of difficult situations to your child when you can’t find the words. Teachers, I know there are instances in your classroom where you can’t find the words to empathize with your students on a situation that might be making them sad or angry. Using books can help you help them, and since books are not your personal input on the situation, it helps the students take what they need from it based on their understanding of the book.
When my son was younger his book collection grew as he grew. Anything that I wanted to discuss with him, I used a book in some form or another, even if I used the book as a reference for what I wanted to say. As he grew older he began to use books and the internet to look up things that he wanted to know more about or understand. So, reading to your children and students at a young age can produce lifelong learners.
Books not only expand the minds of our students and children, it expands our minds as well, we don’t stop learning because we are older, and that’s the great thing about knowledge. So, pick up a book and be a role model to your child and students.
*Darla the Teacher*
