Our
text mentions that family members are children’s first and longest teachers.
This shows the utmost importance of family and literacy. As the chapter goes
on, we read about the complexity of families in today’s society. It troubles me
to read about the amount of family members who are actually illiterate. How are
family supposed to provide a literacy rich environment to their child then they
cannot even read themselves? Also, families who love at the poverty line have a
hard time seeing the relevance and importance of having access to books in the
house, going to the library, or having reading time before bed. I am just
curious on how are we supposed to show caregivers the importance of literacy
when they do not see the meaning of it?
Our
book also talks about materials to read in the home. It mentions the importance
of having books available in every room in the house. Not just any books should
be available, but a variety of books should be in each room for students to
read or analyze for the younger children. I know I did not, I remember my mom
would read but she never read to my brother, or me and unless we had a book
from the library at school we did not have any access to books. I am just
wondering how many people actually had books in every room in their house when
they were growing up.
The
text has a quote, “It is clear that verbal interactions between adult and child
during story reading has a major influence on literacy development.” I want to
know what you guys think the major influence is on the students who have those
verbal interactions with adults. In my opinion, when having the verbal
interactions, the students have an opportunity to think out loud and work
through the beginning stages of critical thinking. What is your opinion?
I agree 100% that verbal interactions with adults have a big impact on literacy development. Students can listen to adults word and sentence structures and learn new things about words just by listening. In one of my other posts I talked about how one idea I had to get parents involved in literacy activities it to just send home a family involvement activity that doesn't require students to make anything or do a worksheet but simply talk to a parent or guardian. Having students come up with a question they have about literacy and then requiring them to go home and ask someone their question and then journaling about their conversation. Just getting students engaged in discussion about literacy can have an affect on their interest, motivation, and engagement in literacy tasks at school.
ReplyDeleteHeylee, I agree it is hard when there are parents who can't even read themselves and maybe don't know why it is important for their child to read on a daily basis and have access to books. I am not sure how you can try to tell that parent that it is very important other than maybe giving examples of how this will help their child's literacy development. When I was growing up I had a lot of access to books, and a lot of the books that we had when we were younger I believe we still have. My parents read to us and always encouraged us to read. Even on road trips we would pick up books on tape, this might not have been us reading along with the book, but it helped with our vocabulary. Even in school we had a trip to the library every week, where we could pick up a book or two. That was in our weekly schedule in elementary school. For my students who might not have access to books at home, I would really like to have a "library" in my classroom so that they can check out books there and bring those home. I can have books that I think would help their literacy development and also have ones that interest my students so they are more motivated to check them out. I agree with you that verbal interaction with adults definitely have a big impact on a child's literacy development. Talking through anything is helpful, but definitely when a child is just starting to develop their literacy skills. It allows them to think aloud, as you said. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteI think you point out several very important things. If the parents are not able to read how can they be able to teach it to their own children. I believe this is another reason why we have to be very careful and supportive when teaching children to read and write so that they will have what they need to become future citizens and be successful in their future life.
ReplyDeleteI believe that any kind of literacy is important for children if it is verbal or written. As soon as children show interest in books or literacy overall we as teachers should be encouraging them to continue experimenting with it.
It is very sad to think about the amount of single mother in todays age that are working two or three jobs to support their children. They need all the money that they can just to help their families survive. They don't have enough money to buy materials for their kids wile they promote family literacy. For example they don't have money to buy books, or writing materials for their kids. I believe that interaction is a great way for students to use what they have learned in the classroom by talking to their parents through verbal interaction. Most young kids that can talk pretty well are great readers and that is because their mother or father has promoted family literacy as they continued to grow.
ReplyDelete