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Tash
Why support children learning to read?
I came across this great infographic outlining why children need to be able to read.
As well as being a good message in itself, the infographic also supports Buk Bilong Piknini (a charitable organisation funding books and reading programs for children in Papua New Guinea).
What do you think – why is it important we encourage children to learn to read, and then read some more?
I would also encourage everyone to help ensure our children are literate – whether by donating to groups such as Buk Bilong Pikinini, helping at schools or giving books as gifts, every bit helps.
Helping children learn to read
I frequently help at my children’s school by listening to children (usually not my own!) read and helping them build the skills of sounding out new words, ensuring the words make sense and getting a full understanding of what they are reading.
Why do I (and many others) help these children?
- learning to read opens many opportunities for children – through learning, ideas and comprehension
- the sooner they learn to read, the easier other aspects of school become – delayed reading can limit other learning and become a downward spiral for education
- I love reading – books give me pleasure, ideas, an escape and relaxation – and I hope to share that pleasure with children
- all the children benefit by their classmates being able to read – teachers can concentrate on contact rather than reading if all students can read competently (for their age) and each child can contribute more ideas and experiences if they are well read
- seeing me place an importance of everyone being able to read, encourages all the children to value reading
- seeing people volunteer to help at school also teaches children about community spirit, generosity and being able to make positive change in small ways
What have you done to help children (or adults for that matter) learn to read and enjoy reading?
Who can read the sign?
The sign was big, but on an angle for most people
We attended an indoor play centre recently for a child’s birthday party.
I spotted a sign on a wall opposite an inflatable slide, within the enclosed rock climbing area, that I think was missing the audience.
Where the sign was
The sign was up on a wall and printed in a large font so it should have been useful.
However, it was on an angle that made it hard to read except for by children rock climbing.
Surely putting it above the inflatable would have been more effective as it would be visible at the time you would be considering climbing up the forbidden walls.
What the sign said
Remembering this was in an indoor play centre where most of the patrons are under eight years of age, the sign was not written for the audience.
Apart from the very young children who can’t read at all, many youngsters would not be up to reading ‘inflatable’ and many would not know the word ‘banned’. Even for those who can understand the sign, it will be most effective if people get it instantly, without having to think about its meaning.
The inflatable is more known to children as the big slide, so that is the type of language they would be better using.
A much simpler sign would be “Do not climb up the slide”.
I think this is simpler and more effective, but also has a second meaning as it tells children not to climb up the slide itself, as well as not climbing on the support walls.
It is always important to know who you are aiming your communications at, and aim for clarity more than cleverness.
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