Building Vocabulary and Pronunciation
Reading
builds vocabulary.
The average 3 year old has a vocabulary of around 300 words, but reading to
them at home can increase this number dramatically. Additionally, reading to
your child teaches them to pronounce words correctly and introduces them to the
rules of the language. Once the rules of the language have been learned, the
sky's the limit when it comes to what your child can learn.
Establishing a Knowledge Base
We use the written
language as a method of storing information. Reading to your child encourages
them to want to read as well. In this way, reading aloud to your child teaches
them the importance of language
as a tool for communication, and gives them the tools to learn about anything that
interests them.
Imagination and Creativity
Reading to children
teaches them to be imaginative and creative. Picture books
encourage kids to think about what is going on behind the scenes or to anticipate
what is about to happen. This leads to both critical thinking skills and the
ability to know reality from fantasy. Reading to your kids and discussing the
words being read instills the power of language and helps them use it to their
advantage.
Literacy and Education
Books are the most
common method of imparting knowledge on young minds. Teaching them that reading
is the key to knowing why the sky is blue or learning about the ingredients in
ice cream empowers children to find out more about their world. Just as
importantly, most of your children’s education will be spent learning from
books, so giving them a headstart
on the written language is equivalent to helping them do well on every knowledge
test they ever take.
Reading Encourages Writing
Reading to your child encourages them to enjoy a good story. Enjoying a good story leads to wanting to share their own experiences. And since the written language can be used for sharing information, the eventual outcome is a child who is better able to express themselves in a manner that can be passed from one person to another.
Day Star Montessori incorporates reading from the beginning of a child's enrollment at the school. While it is mostly teacher led, children are able to hear adults reading to them, learning about vocabulary and different story types. Once they learn to read on their own, they are able to think creatively and use their skills from reading in all facets of their education and beyond. In the Montessori environment, as students learn through peer interaction, they can be taught additional reading skills by their fellow students and families at home. Contact us today to see how reading is incorporated into the Montessori curriculum.