Early Literacy 101

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” To the author of that quote, Emilie Buchwald, I say “Here! Here! Yes indeed! You go girl!” Let’s shout it from the highest rooftop every chance we get. Let’s sing her words of wisdom because they’re all about literacy – early literacy and lifelong literacy.

Even though I’ve never met Ms. Buchwald, she is one of my literacy heroes. She joins Jim Trelease, author of The Read Aloud Handbook and Mem Fox, the prolifically talented children’s writer and author of the adult book “Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever.” Emilie, Jim and Mem - my trio of heroes.

Throughout my thirty year literacy career, these three remarkable people have been the wind beneath my wings. As a public school teacher, an early intervention coordinator and now, a children’s librarian, early literacy has been my mantra, my passion and my mission. So, I constantly turn to these three wise gurus and their words, their work and their wisdom.

One can accurately say I’ve been around the block a few times in my career. Certainly enough times to witness the current fad, hear the newest buzz and experience the latest spin on various topics. Such is the case with early literacy.

Everywhere I turn, it seems someone has the answer to the question “how do we teach our kids to read?” Answers range from various methodologies and techniques to pay-for-it-now-prepackaged-gotta-have-programs. This been-around-the-block-girl says, “Humph!” Instead, I say with complete sincerity, “throw out the fancy flash cards, the plethora of inane tests, the pre-recorded step by step instructions and other assorted hoo-ha. Instead, let’s just do what works. It requires no textbooks, no box of preprinted cards, no red pen, no instruction sheet and no cash, credit card or ATM withdrawal. That’s right. We just follow Emilie, Jim and Mem’s advice - sit down and make a lap. And into that lap, put the little one in your life whom you so love. And then, begin to read aloud. Day after delightful day. Night after magical night.

And the next question - “but does it really work?” A most reasonable question with a most marvelous answer - absolutely, positively, yes, yes, yes! But don’t just take my word for it. Read Jim’s book. It’s chock full of studies and research that support this “low tech, highly meaningful, emotionally enriching, life altering approach.” Or better yet, try it yourself. You’ll find it works! It really works!

So, head to your local library – the cornerstone of early and lifelong literacy. Leave your credit card, cash and checks at home. Your library card is free. Use it often. Read to your kids, talk with your kids, sing with your kids, help your kids fall in love with books over and over again. Children are made readers on their laps of their parents.

So, sit down, make a lap, invite your child and get ready for visitors. Yes indeed, you and your child will meet Madeline and Lilly and Jack and Annie and Poppleton, Olivia and Nate the Great. You’ll fall in love with Fern and Charlotte, Max and his wild things, Jeremy Thatcher and Rotten Ralph. You won’t want to miss Henry and Mudge, or Mrs. Mallard with Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack. Junie B, Marty and Shiloh, Grandma Dowdel, Benny and Violet, Ramona, Miss Frizzle and Amelia Bedelia are waiting for you too. The list is endless. So many books, so little time. So much need for laps. Happy Reading.

by Kathleen Ahern
NPL Children's Librarian
published in Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 2/27/10