Children's Book Week 2020

As we reflect on Children’s Book Week, we should first understand why reading to children is essential to their literacy development. When we read aloud with our children, it provides a powerful context for “demonstrating and practicing all aspects of the reading process” (Routman, 2003).

What does the research say? Reading aloud to children:

1. Is linked to their later success in reading.

2. Helps them learn print awareness (recognizing letters, holding a book correctly, reading from right to left)

3. Exposes children to story structures (knowing that stories have a beginning, middle, and end)

4. Teaches literacy conventions such as syntax and grammar which is essential for understanding texts.

These emergent literacy skills are important for later success in reading (Duursma, Augustyn, & Zuckerman, 2008). And when we can demonstrate these skills, our children will listen and observe carefully (Routman, 2003).

So how are you going to engage your little learner in literacy today or this weekend?! Grab a book, and start reading!

Activities and resources for Children’s Book Week can be found here: https://everychildareader.net/cbw/cbw-resources/

https://www.readingrockets.org/books/choosing-and-using-kids-books

Happy Learning!

Ashley

Citations:

Botelho, M. J., & Rudman, M. K. (2009). Critical multicultural analysis of children's literature: Mirrors, windows, and doors. New York: Routledge.

Duursma E., Augustyn M., Zuckerman B. (2008). Reading aloud to children: the evidenceArchives of Disease in Childhood 2008;93:554-557.

Routman, R. (2003). Reading essentials: The specifics you need to teach reading well. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.