by Elaine Pollock
Primary Children’s Education Specialist

July is reading month at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Last year our patients, family members, and staff read over 10,000 pages. This year’s theme is all about science.

This year’s goal is to read another 10,000 pages during the month of July. Reading is so important, and reading with someone else makes it twice as fun.

No matter the age of a child, reading is beneficial to a child’s healthy development.

Newborn to Age 2

It’s never too soon to begin reading to a child. Babies like hearing voices, even if they cannot understand the words. At just a few months of age an infant can look at pictures, listen to voices and point to objects on pages. They are learning some of the basics of reading. Reading books to children stimulates their imaginations and expands their understanding of the world.

You can help by . . .

• reading to a young baby for a few minutes at a time
• pointing to and naming objects
• reciting nursery rhymes and singing rhyming songs
• making reading part of a toddler’s routine
• attending story hours at a library or bookstore

Include on your book shelf . . .

• cloth, vinyl or board books
• books with familiar objects for naming
• simple stories about a toddler’s experiences
• collection of nursery rhymes

Preschoolers, Age 3 -5

Preschoolers begin to develop print awareness both in books and in the world around them. They pretend to read favorite books. Nursery rhymes help develop the ability to rhyme words.

You can help by . . .

• having a child join in while you read
• moving your finger under the words as you read aloud
• teaching letters of the alphabet

Include on your book shelf . . .

• counting books
• A-B-C books
• books with rhymes and repetition
• picture books with simple text

Kindergarteners - First Graders

Children show that they are ready to read when they know most of the letters of the alphabet and some of the sounds of the letters. They may mix up letters that look alike. Letters or words may be scribbled as simple circles and sticks. Children may be in the almost-reading stage for quite a while.

You can help by . . .

• playfully reinforcing letter names and sounds
• providing plenty of paper, pencils, crayons
• visiting the library
• signing up for library cards

Include on your book shelf . . .

• picture books with story lines
• poetry and rhyming books
• easy-to-read books with recognizable words
• picture books with simple text

Second Graders - Third Graders

These developing readers are recognizing many more words and spelling patterns. They are becoming efficient at sounding out words they don’t know and catching their own mistakes.

You can help by . . .

• encouraging your reader to catch and correct mistakes
• talking about books you read together
• reading chapter books aloud to build vocabulary
• arranging for your child to read aloud to a younger child
• leaving notes for fun reading

Include on your book shelf . . .

• easy to read books a child can read alone
• read-aloud books with higher vocabulary
• information books, including biographies

Independent Readers

Independent readers have mastered basic reading skills. The more they read, the more their skills improve. Independent readers become independent thinkers.

You can help by . . .

• continuing to read aloud together to practice listening skills and to introduce more difficult material
• encouraging independent reading by providing conversation about material
• arranging personal enjoyment reading times
• providing reasons for child to write letters, journal entries

Include on your book shelf . . .

• classics
• longer chapter books
• variety of fiction, nonfiction and poetry books

Older Readers

Help older children become enthusiastic and fluent readers by continuing to create an environment rich with reading materials, encouraging reading for fun and providing opportunities for talking and writing about what they have read.

You can help by . . .

• making reading a free-time activity
• reading the newspaper with your child
• setting an example by reading a book for your enjoyment
• talking about what you have read
• praising your child