Raising Readers
Neil Mufson, Head of School
In recently going through an old box of school materials, I came across a tongue-in-cheek “field note” in an old copy of The Hornbook, a journal about children’s books. Written by some friends and former colleagues, a husband and wife teaching team named Dean Schneider and Robin Smith, “Unlucky Arithmetic: Thirteen Ways to Raise a Non-Reader,” was a humorous outline of some of the things parents can do to discourage reading. Here are my favorites:
- Never read where your children can see you.
- Put a TV or computer in every room. Don’t neglect the bedrooms and kitchen.
- Correct your child every time she mispronounces a word.
- Schedule activities every day after school so your child will never be bored.
- Once your child can read independently, throw out the picture books. They’re for babies
- Don’t play board games together. Too dull.
- Give little rewards for reading. Stickers and plastic toys are nice. Money is even better.
- Under no circumstances read your child the same book over and over. She heard it once, she should remember it.
- Make sure your kids only read books that are “challenging.” Easy books are a complete waste of time. That goes double for comic books.
Dean and Robin point to some of what we need to provide for children if they are to become engaged, enthusiastic, life-long readers: models; some freedom from the clutter of screen and being over-scheduled; natural kinds of positive reinforcement; and the time and “space” to develop an intrinsic love of books and language.
The acquisition of strong reading, comprehension, and critical reasoning skills, and developing a love of reading are some of the cornerstone goals of a Primary Day education. It is a joy and challenge for young children to unlock the code of written language. Yet is also both a joy and a challenge to cultivate the right conditions for young children to become avid readers. Parents and teachers must work against ubiquitous societal forces. Reading takes patience, time, focus, imagination, and commitment. There is no more important academic skill. Strong reading habits influence countless other competencies, such as the development of competent writing and critical thinking abilities. Reading is, after all, the bedrock that makes so much of our human experience possible. And, fortunately, when properly nurtured, it’s deeply satisfying and fun.