Making Room for Literacy By Nancy Gordon, MSW, volunteer coordinator for the Hearing and Speech Center of Florida Literacy is an increasingly large problem in our society. Children today have many stimuli in their busy world: TV, movies, iPods, computer games, radios, loud music. Parents and teachers need to find ways to help children slow down and appreciate different ways to think and experience things. We can help our children develop an appreciation for books and reading in simple ways. For example, reading labels on food cans and cartons of juice as we unpack groceries in the kitchen; finding the size number or symbol on old shoe boxes or labels in clothing; practicing word associations with simple items in the home. When doing this, turn off all outside noises (TV, music, etc.), allowing the child to focus on the task at hand. Other ways to help children understand word meaning is by simple labeling in their bedrooms or play areas. Your child will know the size of the word and the general appearance of the letters and words long before they can actually read whole words. Reading with your child daily is the best way to encourage a love of books and the adventure of word interpretation. Even four or five days a week of consistency will help support this interest. Public libraries lend books and are a wonderful resource for parents and children. Librarians can make book suggestions to help parents get started. Reading or storytelling in the backyard or other play area will integrate a love of books and literacy and an association of “outside things” with characters and pictures in their storybooks. Children can hear the “birds’ sweet songs” or see the “fluffy, white clouds” that stories describe. Smells, shades of light and darkness and other sensory stimuli are different outdoors and may bring forth additional responses, questions, and comments than they would in a house or classroom. Children who attend child care or pre-school still need additional reinforcement from parents and older siblings at home. Taking the time to work on reading skills, storytelling and talking enhances a child’s future love of reading. Teach More Love More Volume 6, issue 4, November 2006, Published by The Children’s Trust
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