By Dr. Gina Tucker, Founder & CEO of EduCoach
I always chuckle when parents tell me about how they are teaching their toddler (3 – 4 year olds) how to read. People are always shocked to hear that I, Dr. Gina Tucker, the consummate teacher/principal, did not teach my son to read before he went to school. Why not?
I am a strong proponent of “readiness”. As a reflective teacher and a turnaround principal, I was always intrigued by the process of reading and how children become fluent readers.
I believe that success is more likely if parents ensure their little ones are “ready” to read and not “reading”. That is, if the child 1, has a solid foundation in letters, their sounds, site words, etc., and, probably most importantly, 2, is consistently read to above their level, s/he will be more than “ready” to build on the more formal reading instruction they will receive a little later.
Those toddler years should be focused on ensuring your child is thinking, processing, following along, and understanding what is being read to them (again, above their level). My son was really good at that–even when I was just saying the words (LOL, because I was either exhausted or thinking about all the things I had to do)–he was questioning and wondering and ‘filling in the blanks’. He was thinking and understanding what he was hearing. Yes, he was comprehending. He was getting ready to ‘read’ big books! I will never forget the day he took the book from me and said: “It’s ok momma, I can read it myself.” He’s been a ferocious reader ever since.
As an educator, nothing is more heartbreaking than when a parent brings their ‘bright’ child to school bragging about how s/he can read and we quickly discover that what the child can actually do is call out words–many times very fluently. Sadly, the child does not understand or comprehend the words s/he is ‘reading’–rather calling out. At that point, we have to 1, help the parent understand that their child is not reading because s/he is not comprehending (this is very hard for the parent to accept) and 2, we have to set about reversing the absolute worst learned behavior a young learner can have. And trust me, this reversal takes way more time than it took to learn the behavior. Unfortunately, critical learning years are lost and filled with a false sense of ‘accomplishment’ or belief–by both the parent and child–that s/he can read.
Thankfully, with EduCoach, parents are now able to get the support they need during those toddler years to ensure their child is truly ‘ready’ to read.
Take the first step today and give your toddler the confident, joyful start they deserve—join HomeSmart Learning by EduCoach now! Register at www.educoach.info
