Little Reading Coach

I got an idea last week to do Facebook classes for parents on literacy tips for different age groups. My goal is to educate and provide parents with ideas about how to effectively teach their children literacy from birth through childhood. Most of my experience teaching literacy is grades 6-8, but now that Miss Molly has entered the picture, I have been doing a lot of research on infancy literacy.

This post is for parents and early childhood educators on literacy in the first year (from my Facebook class).  It includes infant development information, stages of learning, and book suggestions.

New parents know that reading is important, but many don’t realize that reading to a child from birth is extremely beneficial. I found this great YouTube video from CNN about The Importance of Reading to Babies and used this to get my class started. Some of the highlights from the video include:

*Language, reading and writing skills develop at the same time and go hand in hand.

*Birth-3 years is when 90% of the brain develops

*Language and cognitive outcomes increase when reading to children

*Two biggest benefits of early literacy: the ability to learn and succeed later and strengthens emotional bond with parents

These are great ideas to keep in mind during a little one’s first year.

Literacy During Pregnancy:

*Talk to baby, play music, read to belly

*Create a baby library with a variety of texts (NB-preschool)

*Create a literate environment

-Warm and inviting (colors, pictures, etc.)

-Music (CD player, iPod)

-Texts around the house (magazines, books)

*Usborne has a fabulous Home Library Starter Collection that is perfect for a new baby!

Newborn-3 Months

*Baby senses are developing, especially sight and sound, so it’s important to nurture with literacy
-Sing to baby

-Talk to baby

-Read books with pictures and little to no text on the page

3-6 Months

*Babies start to sit with assistance (makes reading to them so much easier), start to reach and hold objects (which makes reading more interactive)

-Allow your baby to hold books, help turn pages, etc.

-Use books with common objects

–helps them get familiar with objects and language development

 

6-12 Months

*Babies are more independent

-Let them “play” with books (mix among toys)

-If he/she brings you a book read it to them.

-Have he/she help during reading time (hold book, turn pages)

Tips for All Ages

*Read every day!

-Set reading time (part of bedtime routine)

-On the go reading (doctor’s office, parties, etc.)

*You don’t have to finish the book every time!

*Make the story come alive!

-Use voices, different tones, etc.

For more book options click here.