Welcome to the What's New section! Here you'll find regularly updated recommendations from the Forest Hills Nursery & Kindergarten staff of education experts.
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Reading Tips for helping parents to make the most of reading time with their children. |
Read Early
The years from birth to age 8 are the most important period of literacy development. Experts suggest that parents share reading with their child beginning in the first weeks and months of life. Reading aloud and using interactive language are the most important activities that build a foundation of literacy.
Read Often
Reading stimulates brain development in important ways, yet 50 percent of infants and toddlers are rarely read to. Experts suggest 20 minutes every day.
Read Over And Over Again
Children learn something new every time they experience a book: new vocabulary, a different character, new meaning from the plot. It often takes at least four readings for a child to master the subject matter. Practicing with the same book also increases fluency, an important reading skill.
Showcase Books At Home
Homes where books are present familiarize children with the purpose of books and the way to use them. Surround a child with books—in his or her bedroom, the bathroom, family room, and kitchen.
Model Reading
Let your child catch you reading. Read the mail, newspapers, and recipes out loud so that your child knows that reading is a useful skill—one that the child will need.
Make Reading A Family Value
As President and Mrs. Bush suggest, put reading first—before TV and sports activities. Instead of a night out at the movies, have a family night in with a good storybook. Read a chapter a night before dinner. Visit the library as often as you do the park.
Build A Vocabulary of 13 New Words A Day
From kindergarten up, children need to learn about 5,000 words a year, that's 13 words a day! They need everyday words and academic words that will help them comprehend science, math, history, and geography. Books are the best vocabulary builders. To add variety, make sure your child has non-fiction and fiction choices.
Steal Reading Time From TV
The typical television show uses a vocabulary list of about 400 simple words. That doesn't provide the rich vocabulary children need for school. If you have a little couch potato, compromise. Read before the TV goes on or even during commercial breaks.
Make Reading Fun
A parent's job is to make reading so enjoyable that a child will want to read all life long. Make it a warm, shared experience that connects love and learning. Parents provide the cozy lap, the good book, and the attention.
