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Reading Aloud-And Not Stopping
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From: Angie Miles <readingam_at_prodigy.net>
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:11:55 -0700 (PDT)
Good Morning
There've been many mentions or allusions to reading to older children durin g the course of this discussion. I just want to put in a specific reques t for this before we leave the topic. As educators and book lovers, we h ave an opportunity to encourage others in ways that will truly enrich their lives and sweeten their memories for years to come. By that, I mean we can actively look for and create opportunities to encourage reading aloud.
A short story: A family I know is populated with voracious readers. B oth mom and dad are well-read intellectuals. They have two young sons, t he older of which has been reading independently since kindergarten. He is one of those truly bright children who was reading Harry Potter unassist ed in first grade and understanding it rather easily. They read all the time... including to the younger brother, who is still a preschooler. I have watched the parents savoring time with special books with their little r one as the older boy enjoyed his high-level literature alone. I coul d see the older child glance with a little longing in the direction of the loving, laughing, supportive space the books helped to provide for his youn ger sibling as the preschool child shared books with mom and dad. On ce, I asked the parents if they ever read aloud to the older child. This was a perplexing question for them, as it is to many parents in families t hat read. The boy could read beautifully on his ow n and did so daily. Wh y did they need to read to him? But, the parents continued to ponder my question and eventually, they asked their young reader whether he would lik e to read aloud together. They were surprised when he answered, "Yes. Sometimes I would."
The time we spend reading with little ones who can't yet read alone is inva luable for many reasons. Only one of the reasons is that the child can't read alone. Once a child begins to read independently, all the other re asons... including bonding time, ritual and tradition, emotional connection , modeling fluency and expression, broadening vocabulary, sharing experienc es, creating a sense of safety, appreciating art together, inviting intimat e dialogue, scaffolding to higher level thinking, understanding your child' s point of view, etc.... still exist. I think it is rare that a transiti onal reader... newly independent... has no desire to continue reading as a family, if that option is offered. This is not to replace independent re ading time. That is so important for children to develop their reading s kill. But hearing great books read aloud can be at least as important.
The real family in my story now has a new habit that includes reading all t ogether from time to time. I feel grateful that my question helped promp t a practice that may become a cherished memory for all of them. This is one of the powers we have as educators, as book lovers. We can invite t hose who may be limiting their experience of literature to begin to read al oud in ways and in settings that may not have occurred to them previously, and in so doing, we can help them discover a gift that is readily available to virtually all.
Best Angie Miles www.happyreading.org
Received on Tue 12 Apr 2011 07:11:55 AM CDT
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:11:55 -0700 (PDT)
Good Morning
There've been many mentions or allusions to reading to older children durin g the course of this discussion. I just want to put in a specific reques t for this before we leave the topic. As educators and book lovers, we h ave an opportunity to encourage others in ways that will truly enrich their lives and sweeten their memories for years to come. By that, I mean we can actively look for and create opportunities to encourage reading aloud.
A short story: A family I know is populated with voracious readers. B oth mom and dad are well-read intellectuals. They have two young sons, t he older of which has been reading independently since kindergarten. He is one of those truly bright children who was reading Harry Potter unassist ed in first grade and understanding it rather easily. They read all the time... including to the younger brother, who is still a preschooler. I have watched the parents savoring time with special books with their little r one as the older boy enjoyed his high-level literature alone. I coul d see the older child glance with a little longing in the direction of the loving, laughing, supportive space the books helped to provide for his youn ger sibling as the preschool child shared books with mom and dad. On ce, I asked the parents if they ever read aloud to the older child. This was a perplexing question for them, as it is to many parents in families t hat read. The boy could read beautifully on his ow n and did so daily. Wh y did they need to read to him? But, the parents continued to ponder my question and eventually, they asked their young reader whether he would lik e to read aloud together. They were surprised when he answered, "Yes. Sometimes I would."
The time we spend reading with little ones who can't yet read alone is inva luable for many reasons. Only one of the reasons is that the child can't read alone. Once a child begins to read independently, all the other re asons... including bonding time, ritual and tradition, emotional connection , modeling fluency and expression, broadening vocabulary, sharing experienc es, creating a sense of safety, appreciating art together, inviting intimat e dialogue, scaffolding to higher level thinking, understanding your child' s point of view, etc.... still exist. I think it is rare that a transiti onal reader... newly independent... has no desire to continue reading as a family, if that option is offered. This is not to replace independent re ading time. That is so important for children to develop their reading s kill. But hearing great books read aloud can be at least as important.
The real family in my story now has a new habit that includes reading all t ogether from time to time. I feel grateful that my question helped promp t a practice that may become a cherished memory for all of them. This is one of the powers we have as educators, as book lovers. We can invite t hose who may be limiting their experience of literature to begin to read al oud in ways and in settings that may not have occurred to them previously, and in so doing, we can help them discover a gift that is readily available to virtually all.
Best Angie Miles www.happyreading.org
Received on Tue 12 Apr 2011 07:11:55 AM CDT
