Ben starts Kindergarten Wednesday! I have done home "pre school" with him. He is reading pretty well and writing his letters and name and words. For me, I like the fact that he is ahead, so that school will be easy and enjoyable for him. But Dan has concerns that he will be too bored. What are your thoughts about teaching them to read before they start school?
That’s what I like. Let’s get parents and grandparents involved in these discussions. I think I see three questions here: (A) What are my thoughts about teaching children to read before starting school, (B) Is my child at an advantage or disadvantage by knowing how to read before entering kindergarten, and (C) Now that my child can read, what should be considered as he starts kindergarten? Let’s take the first one today.
I think a parent considering teaching his/her child to read should ask themselves a couple of questions. The first is: Am I aware of the component skills that need to be addressed? It is best to lay a solid foundation without skipping important pieces that makes for a successful reader. For example, one important component is the ability of the child to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words. Often parents do not know that this is a critical step. Now, when parents, or teachers for that matter, do teach children, not everything will be ideal. There are likely to be holes. That doesn’t mean that all is lost. It just means that the holes will need to be filled in and kindergarten can take care of that. So parents, if I've raised your anxiety levels and now you are worried, lighten up.
The second question a parent should think about is the following: Can I be both a parent and a teacher to my child? Sometimes the change in roles adds a different dynamic to the relationship, thus making the process of teaching of reading stressful on both the parent and the child.
So, I guess my answer to what do I think about teaching children to read before starting school is - it depends. It truly depends upon the particular parent and child. Some parents can and will do a fine job of teaching their children and still maintain what is most important in their lives – their relationships. I say kudos to those parents. If you have any doubts, however, let the school do the job. If we extend the question further to ask whether a child is at an advantage or disadvantage by knowing how to read, at least somewhat, upon entering kindergarten, that is also important to think about. I will address that part tomorrow along with the answer to the last question: Now that I’ve done a really good job and my child can read (or has at least some skills), how can I help him and the new kindergarten teacher? And that is another very good question.
Thank you for this post! Some really great insight, and things to think about! I can't wait for more!
ReplyDeleteReading is so much more than decoding words on the page. Reading is making meaning from print. Learning to read continues throughout our lifetime and we continue to improve through thoughtful conversations about books. Read with your child. Encourage him to reflect on what the text says and what it does not say. Help him to ask questions and find answers. If you help him develop thinking skills, you will be helping the kindergarten teacher, too!
ReplyDeleteMy friend, ThirstForKnowlendge. I love what you say here. You are absolutely RIGHT. Reading is much more than decoding. Decoding helps you get the words off the page. It's really important because you can't figure out what the author says or wants to communicate unless you can figure out what the words say. I advocate that we do a lot of comprehension long, long before a child tries to figure out what those words say. I suggest this with listening comprehension when you read to the child. It begins with story books where you "encourage him to reflect on what the text says and what it does not say. Help him to ask questions and find answers..." (I have some specific questions that can help in that process if anyone is interested.) You and I are on the same page. But if parents teach their child to read at home, parents need to make sure that, along with all the wonderful making meaning strategies you talk about, they also teach the skills for the child to figure out what the words say on the page. That decoding helps the child make the meaning that is so important.
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