Before we get to this month's early literacy tip, I'd like to ask you a question.
When was the last time you sat down and read something YOU wanted to read? Something that was JUST for you?
If it’s been longer than you’d like, I want to let you in on a little secret we early literacy professionals call modelling, because it just might change your reading life.
Modelling is the practice of doing something YOU want to do -- like reading -- while your little one does it too. Only instead of reading a book together, you read your book and they read theirs.
Depending on your little one’s age and stage, it might takes few tries for them to get the hang of sticking to their book, instead of interrupting you while you read yours. ;)
But the reason modelling works is because kiddos LOVE to copy what their grownups do.
So if you stick with it, it's more likely they will too.
And if your little one is too young to read the words of a book on their own, don’t worry, this practice can work for them too.
Pretending to read, and physically exploring a book, is great preparation for kiddos who aren't reading words yet.
So if your little one’s participation looks more like them playing with a book than reading it, that’s okay.
Remember, all book time is time well spent.
