Reading With Children: More Than Just Summer Fun!

As a caregiver, you already know that children who have a love of books, stories and reading have opened up to new worlds of enjoyment.  In fact, grandparent and relative caregivers agree that one of the most pleasurable activities is reading with the children in their care.  Obviously, the joy of sharing books and stories is not reserved just for the children involved, but for the reader as well!  Now that summer is here, an investment in reading will have multiple benefits, as well as a means to provide great fun for all!

Reading to and with children has many benefits beyond sheer pleasure.  Books and other print material, including simple nursery rhymes, finger plays, songs, and poems can provide children with a comfort regarding their own surroundings, and help them make sense of their own “world.”  For children experiencing a move to a new home, or neighborhood, books can help them through the transition.  For children questioning why their family “looks different” than others, books can help them understand that there are many different types of healthy families.  For children struggling with their own feelings, including anger and loss, books can provide positive support for these difficult emotions as well as meaningful and constructive ways to address these feelings.  (See book listing below for some of my favorites!) 

Books expose children to a variety of values, opinions and beliefs that can help them make sense of their own lives as well as broaden their outlook.  Through print, children of all ages can be exposed to new peoples, new ideas, new customs and even new worlds!

Recent research has shown that reading aloud to infants and young children helps to stimulate brain development and the acquisition of thinking and language skills. Who can imagine a more pleasant way to help the child(ren) in your care become smarter!   Children who’ve been read to regularly during their early years learn to read with greater ease. Research shows that they do better in school.

Reading with older children is also important.  Children who have read a wide range of books have a greater ability to convey their ideas through words, and are able to express their feelings and needs through language as well as through behavior. 

Reading with children (of any age) also creates a close emotional relationship between the two of you.  This quality time provides a chance for sharing, communicating, and exploring past, present and future.  It is also a simple and inexpensive way to simply enjoy spending time together.

Developing a love of reading isn’t something that “just happens.”  It is a skill that can be introduced, and nurtured, over a child’s lifetime.  Before children can developmentally learn to read, they can be read to.  Even an infant or very young child can learn to handle a simple book, turn the pages, and point to the pictures.

Once children know how to read (between the ages of 5 and 7), they may still need gentle coaxing and support to reach their potential as readers.  Setting aside some time each day to read with children is the first step.  Even ten minutes is a good beginning!  Also, make sure that children have plenty to read that makes sense for their age and is of interest to them.  If there is a library near by, this is a FREE and wonderful resource for borrowing books, and is a perfect summertime “field trip”!  Keep books and other reading materials in view and in their reach, and consider buying books and magazine subscriptions as gifts. 

As the adult who is the guiding force in their lives, you can influence the children in a positive way by modeling reading.  Every time you take a trip to the library, read them something from a magazine article, or turn off the TV and open up a book instead.  Instantly, you are a model for reading. 

Summer is an easy and perfect time to help your children become lifelong readers, and studies show that children who enjoy leisure time reading during the summer perform at higher levels (than those who haven’t read) when school resumes.  Your local library is there to help provide books, games, fun activities and encouragement through the FREE 2008 Statewide Summer Reading Program: “Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library.” 

While at the library with your children, remember that librarians are also a wonderful resource to help you find reading materials to address difficult or challenging issues, and to help you find community resources to help you meet your own needs.  So, why not spend some time this summer starting a life-long habit that is fun AND good for both the children and you… after all, reading with children is a lot more than just summer fun.   

A few recommended “picture” books (to help with every day and sensitive feelings):

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst, 1972

A Splendid Friend, Indeed, Suzanne Bloom, 2005

Book! Book! Book!, Deborah Buss, 2001

Beginnings:  How Families Come to Be, Virginia Kroll, 1994

Love is a Family, Roma Downey, 2001

Robert Lives With His Grandparents, Martha Whitmore Hickman, 1995

Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day, Jamie Lee Curtis, 1998

When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry…, Molly Bang, 1999

When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death, Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown, 1996 

 

Denyse A. Variano, Senior Extension Resource Educator, CCE-Orange County