Learn as much as you can while you are young, since life becomes too busy later’, says Dana Stewart scott. Reading is fundamental. Learning is essential. The process of becoming literate — the ability to communicate generally, begins at birth.
In literate communities children are exposed to written language at a very tender age. As infants, when they see and touch books, it gives them a leverage to further develop their literacy skills. By building and increasing their vocabularies they equally begin to construct more complex sentences.
The process of learning to read and write continues throughout the early childhood years.
This is a period of great learning because when they are experimenting and discovering the magic of language, they are fascinated that they can convey their feelings and desires. As they interact with others, ask questions, represent what they know, and talk about imaginary situations, they expand and master their grammar.
Literacy is given a boost when parents and teachers consciously expose children to words in print and oral forms, when they read to children or provide toys to go alongside the book and when children see print on television or in their environment.
All these and even more help them to construct the meaning of specific words,“writing” and “reading” in their own particular, though unconventional ways.
The month of September means serious financial spending on the ever-increasing school fees and other school supplies.
Fresh books, fresh friends, fresh ideas, fresh schedule, fresh experience!
But more critical is being able to help your child be ready for school by developing his/her early literacy and learning skill. If your child had no experiences listening to books being read aloud, he/she is likely to start school with poor early literacy skills. Introducing books at an early age is the best way to raise a child who will do well in school.
Therefore read to your newborn from day one. Dr. Tanya Remer-Altman, a UCLA-trained pediatrician, asserts that “They won’t understand the story or be able to follow along, but they will benefit from the intonation and inflection in your voice”.
According to Bredekamp and Copple, by the age of 3, a preschooler’s vocabulary consists of approximately 2,000-4,000 words and by age 5, approximately 5,000-8,000 words.
What are you waiting for?
• Read to your baby everyday for at least, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Buy board or fabric books with colourful images of basic objects, babies, animals and others interesting pictures for your baby.
• Watch as your baby begins to respond to your reading, by nine months, he/she can flip single pages in a book.
CHIAMAKA BOBBY-UMEANO
