Nurturing a love for stories in a child’s early years is essential for lifelong reading. As children's reading skills are declining around the world, some governments, like New Zealand's, are shifting to focus more on phonics, which helps kids connect sounds to letters. An overemphasis on phonics, however, may take away the joy of reading. It is essential for parents to help young children develop a love for books and stories so they grow up wanting to read.
Being able to read is important for success in school and later in life. Experts agree that teaching children the sounds letters make is crucial. Yet, reading is not just about decoding words; it is also about understanding their meaning. Since reading can be challenging, kids need to feel motivated to practice. Motivation to read often begins early, with families playing a vital role in nurturing an interest in stories before formal schooling starts.
Children have a natural love for sounds and stories, a trait that has existed throughout history. Elaine Reese, a psychology professor at the University of Otago, explains in her book How Stories Change Us: A Developmental Science of Stories from Fiction and Real Life that families are key to turning this love for storytelling into a passion for reading. When parents share a picture book with a baby, they should follow the child’s gaze, react to the images, and encourage interaction. This makes reading enjoyable and engaging, rather than just some activity to get through.
In preschool, children who experience regular story-sharing develop important skills, such as vocabulary, print concepts, and emotional awareness, which are all critical for reading success. For children to truly enjoy reading, they need to integrate their love of stories with their growing reading skills. By creating a routine around books, adults can help children appreciate stories more, which encourages them to read, and perhaps turn the activity into a source of joy and understanding.
So while phonics is a vital part of learning to read, it is equally important for parents and educators to nurture a child's natural love for stories. A balanced approach - one that combines technical reading skills with a passion for storytelling - can create lifelong readers who not only decode words but also enjoy the world of books.
Picture: 7-month-old Scarlett reading with Mom (ChildUp.com)
