Reading Aloud to a Child

In Kindergarten, I get the pleasure of teaching children to read and watching them grow into their new identities as a reader.  For some it is a seamless and easy process, for others it is laborious and difficult, but for all it is a meaningful journey that I am fortunate to be part of.  

When the school year started, I stressed with parents the importance of reading every single day to their child.

From: Facebook: The Literacy Site

But as more students are reading in their just right books, I have been hearing from my students that they are always doing the reading at home, not their parents.  I have some of my reluctant readers constantly "forgetting" their just right books at school and often asking if we can have an extra read aloud instead of independent reading time during workshop.  I know my parents are trying to help their child and they want them to be the best readers they can be, but I began to worry that they were getting caught up in the fact that their child is an emerging or beginning reader.  Sure students are excited that they can read the words on the page and can retell the simple story, but they still need to foster a love of books and stories.  The books that most are reading are simple pattern books with little to no story line (i.e. I see scissors.  I see books.  I see crayons.).  Students need exposure to literacy-rich environments.  They need exposure to great role models who read everyday and foster the love of reading and learning.  They need to hear the language of books to learn it and apply it when they read.  They need to see that reading is fun and exciting.  They need to see that books can take them places that a video game or tv show can't.  They need to see that people don't just read because they have to, but rather because they love to. To help make my case to parents, I sent them the link to this article: 10 Awesome Reasons for Reading Aloud to Your Kids Whatever Their Age.  I wasn't sure how well it would be received by some, but I received nothing but positive emails and responses from parents and families.

So here is my plea to you all - read today and everyday for 20 minutes to a child in your life.  Never miss a chance to share a favorite story, a new character, or a hysterical sequel with someone who might just need that extra motivation to find their love of reading.

20 MINUTES A DAY

Read to your children
Twenty minutes a day;
You have the time,
And so do they.
Read while the laundry is in the machine;
Read while dinner cooks;
Tuck a child in the crook of your arm
And reach for the library books.
Hide the remote,
Let the computer games cool,
For one day your child will be off to school;
Remedial? Gifted? You have the choice.
Let them hear their first tales,
In the sound of your voice.
Read in the morning,
Read over noon,
Read by the light of
Goodnight Moon.
Turn the pages together,
Sitting close as you'll fit,
'Till a small voice beside you says,
“Hey, don't quit.”

Author Unknown

From: 20 Minutes a Day