A Message from Yvonne Louis

Dear Parents,

Much has been written about the value of reading to and with your child by such gurus as Jim Trelease, Margaret Meek and Australia’s Maurice Saxby. Margaret Meek has a theory that learning to read requires three elements namely, a book, a child and a caring adult. The message from them all, and other child development and reading experts, is that it’s never too early to begin, and there’s encouragement to continue into and beyond High School. When I stumbled on these theories my own children were straddling the transition to High School and I had stopped reading to them ages before, because I was too busy studying about learning to read and teaching full time. My grandchildren will some day reap the benefits of my guilt!

Why read to and with your child?

From an early age ( you know that I mean, as babies!), the sound of your voice is soothing and comforting to your child.
Sharing special time together, engaged in an activity that gives you both pleasure, provides an opportunity to grow closer together. (Trendy terms such as "bonding" or "spending quality time"’ sprang to mind, but you will notice that I have avoided using them!)
Enjoying a book with your child offers a chance to communicate. Babies as young as eight weeks verbalise in different ways to have their needs met. Much later, reading a Harry Potter title along with your 9 year old will open lively dinnertime discussion. (Have you noticed how long these children’s books have been in the world’s Top Ten lists?)During these summer holidays, I spied several adults reading them out of initialcuriosityand then becoming hooked on the series.

How andWhen?

The How and Whens depend on the age of the child, of course, but little ones like to explore through seeing, touching (and tasting) so cloth, flap, cardboard or plastic bath books can provide variety. Reading and talking about stories often, is great when they are little because short attention spans ( three minutes according to research), call for plenty of different activities.

Taking the child on your knee or beside you in bed allows them to see the print up the right way. Running your finger under the words allows them to understand directionality and top to bottom , ( when reading in many languages). Book time also provides snuggle time and settling time before bed or after an upset. Television and story tapes can’t provide the magic ingredients of your time and attention.

Vary reading times but try to hold at least a few minutes aside each day for the bedtime story, as children love ritual and security.

Happy reading, Yvonne Louis

Article contributed on Tuesday, 18 April 2000