Start Young and Stay With It
At just a few months of age, an
infant can look at pictures, listen to your voice, and point to objects on
cardboard pages. Guide your child by pointing to the pictures, and say the
names of the various objects. By drawing attention to pictures and associating
words with both pictures and
real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language.
Children learn to love the sound of language before they
even notice the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to
children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the
world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to
understand the written word. When the rhythm and melody of language become a
part of a child's life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to walk
and talk.
Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you
to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level,
but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers' understanding
and motivate them to improve their skills.
It's Part of Life
Although
the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your child at
least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don't be discouraged if you
skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as
often as you possibly can.
If
you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with each
child, especially if they're more than 2 years apart. However, it's also fine
to read to children at different stages and ages at the same time. Most
children enjoy listening to many types of stories. When stories are complex,
children can still get the idea and can be encouraged to ask questions. When
stories are easy or familiar, youngsters enjoy these "old friends"
and may even help in the reading.
Taking
the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an important
message: Reading is worthwhile.
One More Time
You
may go through a period when your child favors one book and wants it read night
after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular story, and
this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind, however, that a favorite story
may speak to your child's interests or emotional needs. Be patient. Continue to
expose your children to a wealth of books and eventually they will be ready for
more stories.
Talking About Stories
It's
often a good idea to talk about a story you're reading, but you needn't feel
compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a love for
reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need time to
think about stories they've read. A day or so later, don't be surprised if your
child mentions something from a story you've read together.
Remember When You Were Very Young
It
will help to consider some things adult readers tend to take for granted. It's
easier to be patient with children when we remember how much they don't know.
Here are a few concepts we adults know so well that we forget sometimes we ever
had to learn them:
- There's a difference between
words and pictures. Point to the print as you read aloud.
- Words on a page have meaning,
and that is what we learn to read.
- Words go across the page from
left to right. Follow with your finger as you read.
- Words on a page are made up of
letters and are separated by a space.
- Each letter has at least two
forms: one for capital letters and and one for small letters.
Imagine
how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of such symbols.
That's how young readers feel. But, a little patience (maybe by turning it into
a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to build confidence.
Advertise the Joy of Reading!
Our
goal is to motivate children to read so they will practice reading independently
and become fluent readers. That happens when children enjoy reading. We parents
can do for reading what fast food chains do for hamburgers...ADVERTISE! And we
advertise by taking our mobile library to rural communities reading great
stories and poems to children.
We
can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having
access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity.
Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a
practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and
enjoy some precious leisure moments and helping them develop a reading culture.
With
your help, as your children begin a lifelong relationship with the printed
word, they can grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for
business, knowledge, or pleasure.
First of all, humans have a strong need for safety and
security and look for those attributes in their environment. We
also look for physical comfort, such as an environment with the
right temperature. In addition, we seek an environment that is psychologically comfortable: for example,
environments that are familiar, but offer the right amount of stimulus. 
Maintaining a healthy environment is central to increasing quality
of life and years of healthy life. Globally, nearly 25 percent of all deaths
and the total disease burden can be attributed to environmental factors.
Environmental factors are diverse and far reaching. They include:
