The Language Rich Home

Unless you've been living without TV, the internet or a library, you know the importance of reading to your child at a very young age. Here is something interesting you may not know. While simply reading to your child is beneficial, it does not necessarily make a great reader.
Recently I was reading a book by Ruth Beechick entitled The Language Wars. She describes a language rich environment as one where the parent and child interacts with the books they are reading. Looking at the pictures together and talking about what is happening in the picture. Maybe there is more going on in the picture then the story has said. Maybe you've read the book so many times you can stop mid sentence and your child can finish it. A child that can sit down and "read" you the story through their memory is developing necessary language skills and abilities to assist in decoding words.

Another important thing to remember when your child does begin reading is that it is okay if they spend a few years building fluency. Reading books that are easy will help them build confidence and flunecy. A child who is pushed to read at or above grade level will many times only get through a couple of pages. However a child who is allowed to choose easy readers and encouraged to read a lot of them can devour 20 pages or more in a sitting.
If you have a struggling reader this is a great book to lay out the facts. Bring joy back to reading. Enjoy the books. Read to your child. Discuss the books. Let your child read to you.
Need help taking that first step? Summer is approaching fast, check out your local library for their summer reading programs. Many offer prizes, free books and all the encouragement you and your child need to explore a world of learning.