I recently gave a parent workshop about reading comprehension and as part of my preparation, I did some research from a wonderful book I found at the library. It’s called ‘A Parent’s Guide: How to Get Your Child to Love Reading’.
The author, Esme Raji Codell, has a background that includes having been a classroom teacher, a children librarian, and a children’s bookseller. The book is a treasure trove of information and ideas – and chock full of great suggestions for books!
I took particular interest in Part VI of the book that was all about teaching a love of books and reading through broadcast and performance activities. Here’s a sampling of some of her ideas from this part of the book:
- You and your child can create your own ‘books on tape’ by reading aloud into a tape recorder or other recording device. Read a favorite book aloud to record – or create your own family stories to record and listen and enjoy.
- Or with the help of your PTA, start a school project with parents and children taking turns to read and record their favorite books. Purchase and donate the corresponding book to the library along with your recording of the book.
- Or get out the home video camera, and have your child write a short script starting with a “lead” (question, quip,
to catch viewer’s interest), then introduce him or herself and the author’s name and title of the book the child has read along with a short overview of the story – that doesn’t give away the ending!
All children can enjoy audio books and video book reviews – especially those who struggle with reading such as those diagnosed as having dyslexia.
Have fun trying out the activities noted here and check out all the other ideas found in Esme’s book!
When children are struggling with learning disabilities, parents have concerns about how to help their child manage difficulties related to academics and they also have concerns about their child’s self-image.
In her book, ‘Overcoming Dyslexia’, Sally Shaywitz devotes a chapter to ‘Protecting and Nourishing Your Child’s Soul’
(inspiration for my blog entry title) and she makes so many great points. She emphasizes that a key principle parents need to bear in mind is the importance of providing unconditional love and support for their child – and the key role that parents need to play as their child’s cheerleader.
There’s another point Sally makes in particular that I want to elaborate on here briefly, that is, how critical it is to help your child early on identify an abiding hobby or interest. If a child can develop a talent or interest that she enjoys, can feel good about, perhaps excel in, and certainly show steady progress in, it can be a kind of ’self-esteem’ anchor.
It seems like a ‘no-brainer’ but hold on a minute. I want to emphasize that parents may find helping their children ‘try out’ new pursuits turns out to be a journey of persistence and perseverance. Some children can be very resistant to trying anything new. As Sally Shaywitz points out “Not every child falls in love with an activity immediately, so it is important to expose him to different possibilities and help get him through the initial rough spots when his first response may be to want to give up.”
Bearing Sally’s quote in mind, be determined and creative in terms of encouraging your child to try out an activity that he or she may initially resist and provide enough exposure to determine for sure whether a particular hobby/activity/sport captures the child’s interest or not. Once your child expresses enjoyment and willingness to stick with a hobby and ‘takes off’ with it, continue to support your child’s pursuit – and give yourself a pat on the back for that and all of the ways you help to nourish your child’s soul.
The editors of The New York Times discuss their answers here. The article includes a contribution from Maryanne Wolf, author of Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain.
Several years ago, a study funded by the National Institute
of Child Health and Human Development(NICHD), found that as poor readers worked through an intensive program based on phonemic awareness and phonics, not only did their reading improve, but their brain functioning changed as well. Specifically, as poor readers became good readers, their brains showed increased activity in an area of the brain called the automatic activation center that recognizes words instantly without needing to decipher them. This brain area is shown to be active in proficient readers.
For a detailed summary, please go to this link on the
NICHD website:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/brain_function.cfm
Here’s a great resource that all parents of IEP students should know about: BookShare! It’s a way to download books to your computer or other electronic device and with a little help from software, have the books read aloud to the student.
For details and more info, see: http://www.examiner.com/x-21388-DC-Special-Education-Examiner~y2009m9d8-BookSharean-online-community-of-readers-for-students-with-disabilities
It’s hard for parents to admit their child might have a learning difficulty, but research shows that early intervention is critical for overcoming reading delays. In “Is It a Reading Disorder or Developmental Lag?”, educational expert Susan Hall explains the importance of getting your child help now rather than later.
102-year-old Ed Rondthaler, founder of Photo Lettering, Inc., on English spelling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmMSilHDSAs