On the occasion of Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27, the Five Counties Children's Centre is calling on families to encourage a life-long lover of reading in their children.
“We can't talk enough about the importance of literacy and speech skills for a child's future success in life,” Speech-Language Pathologist Ida Lloyd said in the press release.
“Reading, singing, listening, talking and playing wit your child every day is not only fun, but supports literacy. It's one of the most valuable things we as parents and caregivers can do for our kids,”
In its work in Northumberland County (as well as in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County), Five Counties Children's Centre provides therapy and support services for hundreds of children and youth with speech, language and communication needs. Early intervention is vital so that children with these challenges can get the help they need from organizations like Five Counties.
The bulletin suggests developmental milestones (like those provided by the Ontario government) as a good measure for the progress a child is making in learning to communicate. Five Counties offers tips, milestones and resources on its KidTalk website in support of these skills.
“There are many fun ways that families can encourage literacy skills without children even realizing they are learning,” Lloyd pointed out.
“Reading a book at bedtime, visiting the library, playing a board game together or swapping jokes while doing the dishes can all be great options.”
Five Counties is sharing 12 simple tips compiled by the Start Early organization that families can use to support literacy for young children.
Start early. Reading to babies is important for healthy brain development, and lays the foundation for language and writing skills.
Make reading part of the daily routine. Reading or sharing a story every day is ideal. Create a set time during the day (like just before bed) to which parents and children can look forward.
Try board and cloth books for babies. By age one, babies can grab books. Board and cloth books are great options for little ones who like to touch things and put them in their mouths.
Take turns with your toddler. By age two, most toddlers can hold a book and point at pictures. Let your toddler turn the pages of a board book, and respond when he or she points or reacts to the story.
Ask your child questions while reading. Make reading time interactive by asking questions like, “What do you think will happen next” or, “What was your favourite part of the story.”
Reread favourite books. Most three-year-olds can complete sentence in familiar stories. Read your child's favourite books over and over to help him or her learn through repetition.
Point out similar words. By age four, children begin to recognize letters, Point out words that start with the same letter to help preschoolers become familiar with the letter, helping them recognize certain words that start with that letter.
Count objects on the page. During reading time, count objects on the page together to strengthen early math skills.
Get a child to tell the story. At age five, children can sit still for longer books and create their own stories based on the pictures. Ask a child to share the basic plot of the book, or make up stories based on each page's illustrations.
Read with passion, Using inflection and maintaining the same highs and lows in your voice at the same points in a story help your child begin to remember the words.
Set an example. Let your child see you reading books to develop his or her own love of reading.
Read, read and repeat. Reading to your child helps develop a love of stories and books, a ticket to new worlds and new adventures. Read to a child early and often.
“Engaging a child for 15 to 20 minutes every day by reading and promoting literacy skills is worth every minute, especially given the life-long rewards it has for everyone,” Lloyd said.
