The Books Born to Read Born to Read Write

The Books Born to Read Born to Read & Write Born to Read, Write & Count Born to Read & Cook Born to Read and Surf Born to read & Share Online 1 2 Foreword for Born to Read by the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn With my parents’ help, I learned to love books and stories at an early age. It opened the door to a world rich in ideas, excitement and adventure; a door which has remained open to this day. Reading is not only one of life’s greatest gifts it is also one of life’s most rewarding and necessary skills. One of the people who shares that view is the author of this book, Ben Wicks. In his unique and entertaining way, he has created a pathway to encourage children to read. The message in the pages that follow is that all members of the family can discover together the magic and the joy of the printed word. Like Ben, I believe that each child is Born To Read, and I encourage everyone to give their children this important head start in building the strong literacy skills they need for future success and happiness. 3 Introduction I was introduced to words at an early age. Both my parents worked for newspapers. The house was full of them. So I began my love affair with the printed word. The news section? No, the comics page. From this beginning, I progressed to wild adventure stories in The Wizard, Rover and Boy’s Own magazines. Tales of a jungle boy who could outrun a cheetah were the talk of my school. Every kid wanted to run as fast as the jungle boy. Reading had become a way of sharing our dreams with our buddies. 4 Chapter 1 - AN APPLE FOR THE TEACHER What do you think of your kid’s teacher? Not the one at school. The one at home. I’m talking to you the most important teacher in your child’s life. First you should know that half of a youngster’s mental ability is developed between birth and age four. At these ages children spend most of their time with parents, not teachers. Parents are a child’s first important educators. The first six years of your youngster’s life are vital. Reading must be a part of those early years. A child who enters school who has no favourite books or stories or who doesn’t know the alphabet, is starting from the back of the pack. He or she will ask fewer questions, use shorter sentences and have a shorter attention span than others in the class. I can hear you now. “Wait a minute. You’re asking me to do the job of a teacher. What are they paid for?” Okay, don’t get your shoelaces in a tangle. 5 The fact is that kids who read outside of school do better than those who do not. If the classroom is the only place your child sees books, then there’s a good chance he or she will grow up feeling that reading is work, rather than being fun. When you take time to read with your child, he or she becomes more enthusiastic and positive toward books. Learning to read becomes easier. You won’t be taking the place of a teacher, but supporting the work of the school. Kids who read at home become more curious about the world around them. They have better imaginations and are able to express themselves more clearly. By reading with your child, you share thoughts about what you’ve read. This helps your youngster grow emotionally and brings you closer together. 6 When your child starts school for the first time you will know that he or she is truly prepared for what lies ahead. How about that? You get all of the above for just taking a little time out to share a book with your youngster. What about those children who are already at school? Surely they’ve had enough of books all day. But the fact is, those kids who don’t read at home, will begin to lose ground to their classmates. Maybe you can’t read or write as well as you’d like. This doesn’t have to get in the way of your child’s reading. This book will explain other things you can do with your youngster which are just as important. And there’s a bonus. If you can help your child enjoy reading and writing, you will be improving your own skills. If we’re all agreed that we want our children to be able to live their lives to the fullest, then it’s time to get started on our journey. Let’s find out what we need. 7 Chapter 2 - ALL ABOARD FOR ADVENTURE Getting into a car, climbing on board a ship or stepping into an aircraft is all about getting away, travelling to somewhere else. Words are like that. They don’t have wheels or wings, but the effects are the same. They’re a way to escape from where we are and travel to somewhere else. It could be a trip to another country or just down the street. Words can be the means by which we get there. But reading is not something a child should do alone. It’s important to make it a family trip. Parents, brothers, sisters, Grandma and Grandpa can all go along for the ride. All you and the rest of your family need to do is grab a book and become a reading buddy with your youngster. And don’t forget Dad. It’s important that both parents take part. That means you too Dad. Most kindergarten and primary-school teachers are women, so some boys may feel that reading is something only females do. 8 So get out those football and hockey books, Dad, and get cracking. Share the comics with your child. Remember, he or she is looking to you for guidance. Show your little one that reading is fun. It’s easy. All you have to do is read and be seen reading. Remember, your youngster is watching. If you read, so will your child. There’s no point in telling your son or daughter to read when you’re sitting in an armchair watching TV. So get with it. Grab a book, pick up a magazine, open a newspaper. Get reading into your life and into your home. Words are magic. Open the front door and let them in. Words, words, words all over the house. Read words, play with words and write words. I’m not talking about writing a book. I’m speaking about writing shopping lists, greeting cards, notes to friends and labelling your youngster’s belongings. You can do all these things with your child. 9 Have lots of paper and writing materials available. When your little one feels like scribbling or drawing, all he or she needs to do is pick up a crayon and have fun. Scribbling and drawing are wonderful ways to enter the world of reading and writing. What may seem to you like a mess on paper will eventually become the lines that will form an object or a letter of the alphabet. So make it easy for your child. Give your son or daughter a place to write and draw, his or her own little table in an area that’s well lit. A dictionary is also a good idea. If you’re lucky enough to have a computer, allow your youngster to write with it. Don’t forget to show how proud you are of your little one’s efforts. The greatest art gallery wall ever invented is the fridge door. Use magnetic letters to tack up your youngster’s work there. 10 Every child’s bedroom should be his or her magic kingdom, with rhymes, posters and pictures on the walls, mobiles and shelves of books that your little one can reach. Go to the library with your child and get a library card. All kids treasure some thing of their own, especially if it has their name on it. A library is more than just borrowing books. There’s story hour for kids, films, author visits, books on tape and even games to take home and enjoy. Taking your youngster to the library at an early age will help him or her learn how to use a library and feel comfortable around books. Whether borrowing books or buying them, it’s useful to know the kind of books your little one would like. Your child’s teachers, librarians and the staff of your local book store will be more than happy to make suggestions. 11 And don’t forget to ask your friends who have children and the children themselves. When should you start getting books for your son or daughter? That’s easy-as soon as your baby is born. Start collecting books for a library of his or her own. They don’t have to be new books. There are hundreds of second-hand book stores that carry children’s books. Suggest to family members that they buy books for your little one for birthday and Christmas presents. In this way your youngster will grow up surrounded by books that are his or her very own. But here I go, talking about books again. There are lots of words that are not found in books and are just waiting for you and your child to read togetherthe comics, recipes, captions under newspaper photos, sports scores, television schedules, labels on jars and packages and street signs. 12 And don’t forget there are lots of children’s games that use words. Even a walk through the local mall can be much more fun while playing “I Spy.” Words are out there just waiting to be discovered. So what are you waiting for? They’re yours for the taking. 13 Chapter 3 - BUT WHAT IF I CAN’T READ? Maybe you have difficulty reading yourself. If so, you’re not alone. Many parents would like to read, but can’t. Don’t despair. There are lots of things you can do to help both yourself and your child. Start by talking with your youngster. Ask how your little one’s day went. What did he or she do at the daycare centre? What rhymes and songs did the class learn? Maybe you know them. So sing along. Every child asks questions, more questions and even more questions. To your youngster everything is new. He or she needs to know when, where, what, why and who. It’s the way a child learns about the outside world. Don’t ignore your little one. Do your best to answer. Ask questions back to your kid, questions that require more than just a yes or no answer. Get your child talking. The best talkers become the best readers and writers. 14 Remember, even if you can’t read, children’s books are now available on cassette. And others can read to your little one: neighbours, friends and babysitters. Or maybe your community centre has a reading club for kids. 15 Chapter 4 - THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO MARKET I was a baby when I first heard this nursery rhyme, yet I remember it to this day. Why? Because each of my small toes was gently pinched as I learned the whereabouts of the little pigs. Both my mother and I enjoyed ourselves as she read to me. The point is IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START. From day one Baby is ready to relate to your voice, to your actions and to books. Remember, you are Baby’s first teacher and your home is his or her first school. In fact, from birth to five years of age, Baby will learn more at home than at any other time in his or her life. This is the best time for your child to learn that books are fun. It’s also a way for Baby to feel comfortable with books and to learn that words on a page are different from those we speak. 16 But what kind of books will Baby enjoy? Up to six months of age it doesn’t really matter what you read to Baby as long as you are actually reading to him or her. The gurgles and sounds of glee will show you that Baby is not only enjoying himself or herself, but starting to mimic you. After seven months, Baby can recognize familiar faces, objects and voices. He or she will really love picture books with simple, bold, bright illustrations. Songs and rhymes are terrific. Board books or books with waterproof pages that can be propped up on the changing table, left in the crib or even floated in the bathtub are perfect. The main thing is to have fun with your child. Reading with Baby doesn’t have much to do with the actual words on a page. It’s more to do with playing, talking, singing, laughing, observing, tickling and just enjoying yourselves. As Baby begins to understand, point out familiar objects in the pictures. 17 Run your finger along the text as you read it. This will help Baby to associate the print with your voice and with the meaning of the words. Make your reading a performance. Raise your voice, whisper, make animal sounds, tickle and cuddle Baby at the right moments. You won’t win an Academy Award, but Baby will love it. Most infants look at books with bursts of intense concentration. That’s the time to read to them. And don’t give the impression that books are something mysterious that suddenly appear during set reading times. Always leave a book or two in Baby’s playpen or crib. Listening and talking are also the beginnings of learning. Hear those sounds? Baby is trying his or her best to imitate your voice. It’s Baby’s way of making conversation. So talk back to him or her, and ask questions. “Show me your foot.” “Where is your toe?” Before we know it, Baby is on the move, running around the house and showing an interest in the kinds of stories we loved as children. 18 Chapter 5 - ONCE UPON A TIME These four simple words tell your toddler that a story is about to unfold. Who is that handsome prince and why is he trying to put a glass slipper on that lady’s foot? Your little one is about to find out through reading words on a page. Sure, he or she may have difficulty understanding all the words. But just hearing and seeing them gives your child a clue that this is what language is all about. Have fun with the books you’re reading together. And don’t force your toddler to learn to read. Your son or daughter will know when the time is right. Start out reading simple stories and book, of rhymes with lots of illustrations. Try a few picture books without words. Your toddler can tell his or her own story around the pictures and feel good about it. As your little one’s imagination and language skills grow, try a few children’s magazines. Or if you feel your toddler has a long enough attention span, read a short novel or chapter book. 19 But whatever you do, make sure you both enjoy the story. Just because you love the bit where Humpty Dumpty falls off the wall, doesn’t mean your child does. If your youngster is fed up with the fat egg, try Peter Pan. I know you’re busy, but reading with your little one is not only fun, it’s easy. And guess what? Fifteen minutes a day is all you need. Pick a time when you can both concentrate. Don’t worry about everyday problems or following a love affair on a soap opera. They’ll be back tomorrow. And if the phone rings, let it. No interruptions allowed. The person you’re with is the most important person in the world -your child. Okay, you’re ready to start. You always wanted to be on the stage so now’s your chance. It’s drama time. Make your story exciting. Make sounds, sing a song, act silly, laugh and your child will laugh with you. Try it. See, I told you it was fun. 20 Run your finger underneath the print as you read slowly. This shows your toddler that there’s meaning in those squiggles called words. Encourage your youngster to cut in and comment on the story. Ask simple questions: “How come the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again?” “Why did Snow White eat the apple?” Let your child read to you by following the pictures. Give just enough help to keep the story flowing. Don’t worry if he or she gets the odd word wrong. It’s what the story is about that’s important. Look at the pictures together. Roar like that lion on the yellow brick road. Squeak like that mouse running after the farmer’s wife. Moo like that cow jumping over the moon. Have fun. Your little one will ask for a favourite story to be read over and over. This is good. Toddlers learn through repetition. Try leaving out the odd word and let your child fill it in as you read. Pretty soon your toddler will begin to repeat words from a favourite book and may even suggest that he or she read the next line. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP. If your youngster makes a mistake, so what? Much of it will be memory anyway. IT’S STILL READING. 21 Is your child stumped by a certain word? Ask him or her to replace it with another one that makes sense. Or if your toddler wants to turn the page, that’s okay too. Don’t force your youngster to read, and stop reading when he or she has lost interest. Maybe it’s a good time for a sing-song. What do you mean you don’t know any songs? Make them up and act them out while you’re singing. “Hi, ho, hi, ho, it’s off to work we go... Okay, now we’re really cracking. Push up those sleeves. We’re on a roll. Make a scrapbook with your little one about his or her life. Talk about when you were a child. Please, not how poor you were and how much luckier your child is. You’re having fun, remember? What about outside? The beach, park, zoo, laundromat and store are all places to take your youngster and talk about what you see. Take books on family outings, in the stroller, in the car or on the bus. 22 They’re there ready to be opened at the drop of a hat. But whatever you do with your child, support his or her efforts. Don’t forget, your little one is struggling in a new world, a world of words. He or she has jumped over the early hurdles. Aren’t you proud? Of course you are. So let it show. 23 Chapter 6 - HOW WAS SCHOOL TODAY? The big day is here! The school bell is ringing, and your youngster is racing off to elementary school for the first time. It’s a whole new beginning. Your child is about to enter a world full of new books that he or she will learn to love. With the teacher as a guide, your little one will travel through time, make new friends in far off lands and learn about the world outside. But remember, you’re an important teacher too. So stay involved. Just because your youngster is reading books at school, there’s no reason to stop doing it at home. Do you want the teacher to get all the credit? Of course not. So sit that little one beside you, and get out those books. Reading together will help your child learn the meaning of words and how to pronounce them. Then the more difficult books at school will be a breeze. 24 Let your youngster know that reading is not just for school. It’s important at any time. Keep in mind that your child has been at school all day. Reading at home should be a fun time, so CHOOSE THE RIGHT BOOKS. Okay, so you love Shakespeare. Then read it when your little one is at school. Is Tolstoy your hero? Great. Take War and Peace to bed with you. Does your child love baseball? bugs? ballet? Let your youngster choose to read whatever he or she likes. Find books with a few short sentences on each page, large type and plenty of pictures. Try out a few longer books with chapters. Don’t forget that children love poetry. How about Dr. Seuss’ Cat In The Hat? My kids and I loved it, and we laughed ourselves silly. It’s still important to spend at least 15 minutes a day reading together. Make it part of your daily routine. And guess what? It’s show time again. So on you go. Lift and lower that voice. Laurence Olivier has nothing on you. 25 Let your little one hear how talented you are. Animal noises, the voice of a giant - you can do them all. There, isn’t reading fun? Of course it is. You’re chomping at the bit to discuss with your child what you’ve read and to ask for his or her opinion. But now that your youngster is beginning to read on his or her own, your role is changing. So step back and let the new star into the spotlight. Now you’re the audience. So listen. Let your little one know that what he or she is doing is valuable - the big time. SO PAY ATTENTION. Don’t spend time correcting mistakes. And when your child wants to stop reading and leave the stage, that’s okay. It’s still important for you to read to your child, even when he or she is able to do it alone. Just be ready to step back into the spotlight. 26 Although a teacher has now entered the picture, don’t stand backstage. Get involved. School is a partnership, not a takeover. Remember, your youngster is watching. If you take an interest, your child will know that education is important. If you couldn’t care less, why should your little one? Meet with the principal and your youngster’s teacher. Go to parents’ night. Help your partner, the teacher, to know your child. What books is the teacher using? How much homework will there be? Is your little one having problems? How can you help? You may feel you’re interfering. Nonsense. You have a right to know what goes on. Guess who keeps the school operating? Not the tooth fairyyou and your taxes. 27 Don’t forget to talk to your child about school. What was it like today? What did you do? What do you enjoy doing best? for heaven’s sake, don’t settle for “nothing” as an answer. Get your youngster chatting. Kids need to talk to develop their language and thinking skills. Also, talking about school helps reinforce the fact that it’s important. Be your kid’s cheerleader. Go to his or her sporting events, plays or other school activities. You’re proud of what your youngster is doing. Show it. In the eyes of a child, the most important person in the world to impress is you. Your little one wants to show you what he or she can do. Go aheadmake your youngster’s day. School equals homework. That little bundle of books in your child’s backpack is there for a reason. Now the ball is in your court. The teacher has done his or her bit for the day. It’s your turn. 28 Don’t be concerned. It’s easy. Just a matter of laying down some simple rules. A good place to start is by setting a regular time and place for homework. With a dictionary and atlas close by, your little worker is ready to take on all comers. But don’t forget, it’s his or her project. This isn’t “Wheel of Fortune,” and we’re not looking to you for the answers. Your little homeworker should feel good about what he or she is doing. So don’t be critical. Your child is entering the world of writing. That tiny hand holds a pencil. A pink tongue suddenly appears between closed lips. The lines may waver, but Dickens began the same way. So encourage your youngster. Writing should be more than homework. Write out your shopping list or make a birthday card for Grandma. How about a pen-pal? And writing to Santa is a must. How about you and your little one making a book together? Pick a simple theme. Use cardboard for the cover, and staple or tie it together. A masterpiece! 29 Maybe your youngster is a born actor. Then write a play together. How do you think Arthur Miller got started? When it’s finished, let your little one play the lead. Okay, okay, if that’s how you feel, take turns. Then how about a simple crossword puzzle, Scrabble or another board game? Let your child move the marker the number of spaces shown on the dice. Maybe your youngster isn’t hip to reading. Then it’s music to the rescue. That’s right, that dreadful noise coming from your youngster’s room. Whatever you may call it, it’s music to the kids. So use it. Head for the library and hunt out books about rock stars. Plenty of music magazines are available. They’re just the sort of reading material any child will love. Before you can say “Rolling Stones,” your little one will be writing letters to his or her favourite artist and joining a fan club. Remember, whatever you do with your youngster will help him or her to take a giant step-a stride that will lead to a lifelong love of learning. 30 Chapter 7 - THE MONSTER THAT BABYSITS YOUR CHILD We’d love to drop it out the window, throw a brick through the screen or set fire to the demon. Television is the biggest hurdle you must cross in order to get your little one to read. Watching more than two hours of TV a day is the fastest way for an adult to become a couch vegetable. For a child it’s devastating. Want your youngster to lag behind in school? Just stick him or her in front of the box. So what can we do about this monster in the corner? Kill the beast? Impossible. Face up to this fact-TV is here to stay. So let’s get rid of the notion that in order to get your kid hooked on reading you’d better take an axe to the TV set. If it weren’t for “Sesame Street,” many North American children would be playing catch-up when they first begin school. 31 Many programs make learning fun. They expand your youngster’s knowledge of the world. So don’t ask how you can get your child to give up television. Just be selective. Whenever possible, watch the programs with your little one. Chat about what you’re viewing and laugh along with your youngster. And set an example. It’s ridiculous to restrict your child from watching too much TV when you’re doing exactly that. Since you’ve wisely decided to limit your youngster’s TV viewing, you’ll need a replacement. Remember that great card we talked about earlier? That’s the one - the library card. Animals that your little one has seen on “National Geographic” can be found in the library. Many movies, such as The Wizard of Oz, were taken from books. Peanuts and his friends in the TV cartoons are also in book form, as well as in the daily newspaper. 32 Like you, your child may often say that he or she is bored with TV. Your youngster may want to draw, read or write. Whatever it is, give your son or daughter a little peace and quiet. A family reading hour, where everyone reads as the TV monster sleeps, can be a wonderful thing. See, I told you silence was golden. 33 Chapter 8 - WHO CAN I TURN TO? All children are not the same. Take my word for it. If you feel that your little one has a learning problem-and many do-speak to his or her teacher. Your local literacy group is also there to help you or your youngster if either of you have difficulty reading. The following national literacy organizations are anxious to assist both children and adults. Contact these offices or look for a local branch in your phone book. ABC Canada Literacy Foundation 4211 Yonge Street. Suite 235 Toronto, Ontario M2P 2A9 Laubach Literacy of Canada 119 Ross Avenue. Suite 201 Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 0N6 1-888-248-2898 Federation canadienne pour 1’alphabetisation en francais 235 chemin Montreal, piece 205 Vanier, Ontario KIL 6C7 (613) 749-5333 Movement for Canadian Literacy 180 Metcalfe St. Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P5 (613) 563- 2464 Frontier College 35 Jackes Avenue Toronto, Ontario M4T 1 E2 1-800-555-6523 34 It’s true that helping a child to grow is not easy. In today’s frantic world, time is at a premium. Yet even the shortest moments spent with your youngster are of value. Take it from me, it’s worth it. Although this book deals with how to get your child hooked on reading, it’s more than that. You need to show your youngster that you love him or her. Talk to your son or daughter. And LISTEN to what he or she has to say. Now where’s that new book that I wanted to read to my little one? 35