You might be in for a surprise next time you visit your pediatrician's office.
When the doctor asks how your child is eating and sleeping, you'll probably hear another question, "Are you reading aloud to your youngster every day?"
That's because the American Academy of Pediatrics just issued a new policy statement. It says books are like medicine and pediatricians should prescribe their daily use.
Why? Books are important in building up the brains of very young children.
(If your kids are older, keep reading.)
Pediatricians will be emphasizing how important it is to read aloud every day, even to infants. The docs say keep it up at least until your children enter kindergarten because many studies prove reading pays lifelong health benefits.
LeVar Burton chimes in
He's been the host of PBS's Reading Rainbow for 26 years. He and his partner recently developed the program as a tablet app and it's been downloaded over a million times. As you'd guess, LeVar is a big supporter of reading to kids.
In a July 6, 2014, interview in Parade, he notes that Americans read far less for pleasure than they did in 1983. That's when Reading Rainbow got started.
The reporter asked him whether older children need to keep reading during summer vacation. He answered, "There's a critical window where a child either becomes a reader or not--for life. Between the ages of 7 and 9 is when that decision is made.
"Parents ask me, 'How can I get my kid to read?' I say, How much time do you spend reading in front of your kid?"
Le Var stresses the importance of having books around your house. He also recommends families have a weekly night when TVs and gadgets stay turned off and it's family reading night.
That's leading by example.
More is caught than taught.
When our children see us reading and know we enjoy it, they understand that reading matters and it's for all of life.
Make summer vacation count
Studies show kids who don't read during summer vacation lose ground in their reading ability. Just 20 minutes a day can keep them up to speed. What to do? Be creative. For instance:
- Set up a reading contest, with prizes. Make the prize something your kids really want, something you know they're dreaming of. Make wall charts where each child can note books read.
- Patronize your local public library. Many libraries now have lending libraries for Kindle editions, too.
- Take your kids shopping for books of their own. Cut costs by patronizing discount stores or used book stores. Provide a small bookcase for their library, or at least a pair of bookends.
- Let your children read books above their grade level. It's a great way to develop language skills. They'll learn to figure out meanings of unfamiliar words from the context.
Reading to and with our children is one of those things in family life that seem small at the time. But it pays off big-time in benefits for children and happy memories.
I know it's true because I grew up with reading parents. As a kid I read everything I could get my hands on and still do. Our four girls loved owning books and walking out of the library with their own pile of books. It paid off well in their reading and spelling proficiency.
Warmly,
Lenore
To read the article in Parade and get LeVar Burton's Summer Reads, click this link: http://parade.condenast.com/311768/merylgordon/levar-burtons-reading-revolution/
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