As a child, I learned a lot about the world through the many books I read, but I also learned a lot about writing. In fact, I still owe much of my vocabulary to my ability to learn from context clues within the novels and short stories I read. Reading informs our writing processes and writing, in turn, helps us to facilitate critical thinking and learning. The ability to read and write competently, otherwise known as literacy, is one of the primary goals of education.
Literacy can often take on a more nuanced meaning. It can speak to how well someone can do basic math, for instance, or how comfortable they are with using a computer. A further example of nuance is the concept of information literacy, a term that has grown more pertinent due to the copious amounts of information now more easily accessible than ever. Information literacy is now a focus at middle schools, high schools and universities everywhere (but that is a topic for another blog). While these approaches to literacy are important, because of my new job as a Children’s Library Associate at a local public library I am suddenly fascinated by the very beginning stages of literacy, by the ways in which the early stages of communication can inform one’s ability to read and write well later in life.
The Importance of Early Literacy
One of the many reasons for reading aloud to children as early as infancy is to facilitate the learning process. Studies show that reading, singing and even just talking to an infant regularly contributes to their early literacy skills, which develop even before they begin any formal education. A rich language environment is important to children’s early learning and can have large effects on early language, vocabulary, reading, and math skills, as well as on children’s social-emotional development.
According to research conducted by sources including the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and the National Council for Adult Learning, “more than 36 million adults in the United States cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third grade level” (Proliteracy.org). Research also shows that “one in six young adults—more than 1.2 million— drop out of high school every year” (Proliteracy.org ). One has to wonder about the long-term effects of not being school ready at the start of formal education and how that deficit can eventually catch up with an adult. Ultimately, low literacy rates in adults can result in lower quality jobs, unemployment and even poverty. This, unsurprisingly, means that the children of parents with low literacy skills are also affected. In fact, these children have a “72% chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves. These children are more likely to get poor grades, display behavioral problems, have high absentee rates, repeat school years, or drop out” (Proliteracy.org). It goes without saying that early literacy skills (or the lack thereof) will inform one’s skills later in life.
Tips for Helping Young Children Become Better Readers and Writers
Here are some things to do with young children to encourage their early literacy skills:
- Talk to your children, even babies, so they get used to hearing words and when they’re a little older, engage them in conversation by taking turns speaking.
- Expand and build on children’s words so that they learn new vocabulary words.
- Find books and toys that your baby can shake and make sounds with, mouth and grab, touch and squeeze.
- Read board books that your child can handle on his/her own; let him/her turn the pages as you read together.
- Sing songs and play simple games like “peek-a-boo.” Having fun together is the best way to help your child learn.
- When children are a little older, show the book and ask them to make predictions about the story.
- Point out key words or ideas to help get the children ready for the story.
- Read the book from beginning to end and use as much expression and gesture as you can.
- Finally, read together every day!
For more early literacy tips, visit Early Literacy Tips and Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy.
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