Pam Dudding-Burch
Contributing writer
To many in the education field, teaching children to read is merely not enough. Students need to be given something that will stretch their imaginations; something that will help them make sense of their own lives and give them confidence.
The Craig County Early Headstart program shares the same vision.
Nicole Dudding, the Family Development Specialist for Headstart in Craig County, organized a July meeting to include a particular story time.
“Our monthly meetings are a requirement for the parents, and we try to either have some type of class for them or an activity for them with their children,” Dudding said before adding, “It could be from nutrition to finance, taxes, interviewing techniques, budgeting, how to classes, etc.”
One of the books that Missy Frazier, Title 1 Reading instructor at McCleary Elementary, read was Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See. The kids participated by pointing to the pictures of the animals.
The Craig County Public Library added a special surprise when they donated the books to be read during story time. Books were also given to children to take home.
Frazier also shared with the parents the importance of reading with their children at a young age.
“I am very passionate about this subject because as a teacher it is wonderful to see students who have been exposed to books when they come to school,” Frazier said. “It truly shows and makes a difference in their education down the road.”
Frazier also shared some fascinating statistics:
- Between birth and age five is the time children have the highest amount of brain growth.
- At birth, the baby’s brain is only 25 percent of its adult size.
- By age three, the child’s brain will be 80 percent of its adult size.
- By the time a child enters kindergarten, their brain is virtually fully formed.
“Given the course of brain development, it is not surprising that young children who are exposed to certain early language and reading experiences usually prove to be good readers later,” Frazier added. “Just like a child develops language skills long before being able to speak, they also develop reading skills long before being able to read.”
Frazier detailed six reasons why it is essential for guardians and other family members to read with their children every day.
- Cognitive Development – Being read to increases a child’s ability to think and understand. This is the building of thought processes, which includes remembering, problem-solving, and decision making.
- Language Skills – Reading to a child in their earliest years stimulates the part of the brain that allows them to understand the meaning of language. Reading also increases their visual imagery and meaning of words. The language we have in books is different than the language heard in daily life. Book language is more descriptive and uses more formal grammatical structure. Children will not get this, unless they are being read to.
- Preparing them for Academic Success – Children exposed to reading before preschool are more likely to do well when they reach formal education. They will have phonemic awareness, phonics skills, increased vocabulary and stronger reading comprehension.
- Bond with your child – reading with your child on a regular basis will build a stronger relationship with them. Spending time with your child is very important because they have your attention and vice versa. This builds a trust in small children that is very important. This gives a child a constant that they can expect and look forward to. Without even knowing it, you are setting up a good line of communication with your child where they can talk and share with you.
- Concentration and Discipline – Very young children rarely sit still for long, and it’s often difficult to get them to focus. Regular reading builds their ability to concentrate. You are increasing their attention span and memory retention that will help them when they enter school.
- Give a lifelong love of reading – Every time we read to a child we’re sending a pleasure message to the child’s brain.
“If you can instill a love of reading at an early age, then a commitment to lifelong learning is sure to follow,” Frazier said. “Reading aloud to children is truly the single most important activity for building skills essential for reading success that your child will carry with them throughout life.”
Dudding shared that she was pleased with the meeting and the information that was shared with both parents and children. A special thanks also go to Craig County Public Library, Rob Carper with Subway, Jason Hutchison with Hutch on Main, Mike Carper with IGA Express and Carol Owens with Pinetop for their donations.
