Reading milestones

I always wonder about readers and non-readers, I mean I look at my husband as an example, he loves books, he is always buying book, he loves everything about books, yet he does not read...

This works great for me because I love to read, I will read anything, and will read everywhere. The only place I can't read is in public places where I would rather watch the people. Maybe I like real experiences more than I like other people's worlds. I do have preferences, but when all else fail I will read even the inserts in medicines, or leaflets in the doctors rooms, about ailments that I will never contract.

The question I ask myself is how is it possible that two people could be so far removed from each other in terms of reading; and is it all personality or was some of this conditioning? How can I make sure that Mia not only loves books but also enjoy reading?

Looking at milestone development for reading, it seems odd that the first milestones are already for infants under a year; yet if you think about it you will not be introducing music in your child's life only once they can dance. So why would you introduce books only once they are able to hold a book?

I must admit that the amount of books that you are able to obtain in these days are amazing and offer ample opportunity for you to introduce the fun aspect of reading. When Mia was small I always packed some books for her in her toy box for the day mother, she always looked at those first, then the rest of the toys. She has bath books, bed books and rattle books. I even put her in bed with a book in the afternoon from the time she was eighteen months.

So what is reasonable to expect from your child in terms of reading?

Up to a year:
Reading helps with language development; your child would not be able to verbalise if they are not able to understand what it is that they are talking about. You infant should make sounds that they hear in language and they are usually in love with repetition. Rhymes, and big bright pictures, should keep their attention.

A child needs to understand that language is two way communication; as TV and other digital media does not enforce this – you need to ensure that when you read to your child you are not just reading but you are making your child part of the experience.

Show your child the pictures and outline the meaning of these pictures, tell your child as much as possible of the picture.

Your child should reach for a book, it is also great to include rattle books, which responds to touch, and maybe has a nibble bit, so your child can include all their senses when “reading”.

Your child should respond to the story, this is great when your child, laughs at something you read. It has also happened often that Mia or another will burst out laughing at something said in another conversation, which sounds funny. This shows that your child likes sounds, and listens to what you are saying.

Toddlers: (1-3 years):
You should involve your child even further in reading and should ask questions when you tell a story, “where is the bird?” or sounds should be included to ensure that you are building your child's understanding of the story and the world around them.

Repeat, repeat, repeat – your child will listen to the same story a couple of times, ask your child to name some of the pictures on the page.  Remember that your child will be more likely to point out things that they like in real life; so ask them to show you the ball, if he likes balls. First do the “old” pictures and then introduce the new ones. Try and introduce new words in the story and explain their meaning, what they do, and a characteristic.

Your child should in this time learn to point to identify named objects, as well as be able name familiar pictures. You will even find them pretending to read and they will complete sentences from a story that they have heard often.

Toddlers love to scribble, now is a good time to establish the difference between writing and drawing. When your toddler scribbles ask them what they are doing; if they are drawing what are they “drawing”, if they are writing what are they “writing”. You will be surprised at the answer.

Your toddler will also be able to identify not only books by their cover; but favourite DVD covers;   they will also be able to turn the pages of a book without assistance.

Your child will have a favourite story and will ask you to read it to them often.

Age 3:
Your child will show interest in books, independent from you reading to him, if you are not already including trips to the library as part of your routine then now is a good time to start.

Your child's attention span is longer and thus would be able to listen to longer stories. Your child will also be able to retell a story familiar to him. A three year old should be able to recite the alphabet, as well as sing the alphabet with prompting and cues.

Your child will also now start making continuous symbols that will resemble writing, as well as imitate reading a book. Remember that your child looks to you as an example; make sure that your actions are those you wish to see in your child.

Age 4:
From this age your child would be able to discern between certain brand names and logo; although it might happen even earlier dependant on your child's personal experience with a certain brand. Your child will make op his own rhymes and phrases. It is important to react positively to these early ventures of word play as it shows a keen interest in words and their structure and will lead to a lifelong relationship with books.

Your child can read and write his own name as well as some of the letter from the alphabet, some schools of thought outline that this is the ideal time for your child to learn to read. Although it is your own decision to make, you need to keep your child's individual development in mind, as being pushed too early might ultimately culminate in a aversion to books.

Your child can match letters and sounds and well as name words that begin with a certain letter or sound. Your child will also try to write by stringing along a number of letters to form a word.

Age 5:
Rhymes and rhyming games will keep children from this age group busy for, they will also be able to show your words they know from a written paragraph.

They will also be able to tell you what will possible happen next in a story, as well as tell you a story that they have heard before.

Age 6 & 7:
This age group can read a familiar story, as well as sound words that they don't know to figure them out. Children from that age group also use pictures and the context of a story to figure out a word. Your child will also start using punctuation and capital letters in their own writing.

Your child will also be able to your what the tone of a story is based on the pictures used to illustrate the story.

Age 7 & 8:
This age will be able to read for a longer time on their own, they will also be able to read allowed with the correct feeling and tone of what they read.

They will also use the contexts and pictures to figure out an unknown word. Over and above the use of punctuation and capitals, they will also start using paragraph breaks in their writing.

A child of this age would be able to write a simple message – telephone message or email. They will also enjoy word games a lot.

Children of this age group also use new words and phrases to show what they have learned. They will also be able to review their own writing and correct mistakes with your assistance.

Age 9-13:
Children of this age understand that there are differences in written text, and that people can have preferences for certain books and writing – remember that your child wishes to learn and that your child will still show a preference to books about subjects in which he has a definite interest. You as a parent can introduce information on these interests and show your child how and where more information can be obtained. This will entice your child to learn, and satisfy his own curiosity.

Your child at this age has an idea of the world in which he lives, he can also explore these ideas, you need to outline to your child that there are different books – fiction, and autobiographies as an example – your child needs to understand that books are used to influence the way in which you think. Your child needs to understand that as a reader you need to weight what you have written and decide whether you have taken learned anything from the book – if your child has reached this stage you have come far as a parent.

Your child will also apply sayings and figurative speech, you can make a game of swapping sayings and their meanings.

Your child is also able to outline the plot of a story as well as the main events within a story. A child at this age can also write about a specific topic in a specific tone and style on request.

Your child would be able to tell your what the tone of text based on the words used within the text.

Source:
KidsHealth – retrieved 17 April 2009 reviewed 25 May 2009 - http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/all_reading/milestones.html