(23) Having books 'stacked' around from age 5 was the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago -

Continuing the letter.

"Using books already in the house to build a 'reading' habit before getting hooked on digital media"
　　　　　　　　　　　　...is what I am talking about.

　Until they reach the lower grades of elementary school, children can spend time happily at home without videos or games.
　Setting aside the "everyone is watching them" or "that's just the era we live in" mindset for a moment...
　I want to cherish the time when they can easily encounter the joy of reading.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
・Click here for letter (22).
(22) Living with 'stacked books' from around age 5 was the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago - | Emi Suzuhara (note.com)


　Today

"Once they get off your lap, the child becomes the one who 'reads' and the parent becomes the one who 'listens'"

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　...is the topic.

　Now, Shiori-san.

　Reading aloud is good for raising a child who loves books...is something you hear often, right?
　I believe you also mentioned that you were working hard on reading aloud when we met at the parenting salon.

　But on the other hand, I actually hear quite a few
personal stories like, "I read aloud a lot, but my child never grew to love books at all." 　--How was it for you, Shiori-san?




　Of course, reading aloud is a wonderful time for children to feel their parents' love, and I think it's a lovely habit.
　It can also be a trigger for them to start loving books.
　　
　However, just because you read 10 books a day, it doesn't necessarily mean they will definitely grow to love books.
　

　Personally, I truly believe that...
　For a child to eventually move from picture books to children's literature and then to reading various other books, it is essential that

the child themselves acquires the habit of 'reading text'

　...is what I think.


　Not something vague like "giving love" or "getting them to like books"...but the concrete habit of 'reading text'. 　...No, I'm sorry! I would be sad if this were misunderstood, but


　
"giving love" and "getting them to like books" are absolutely necessary foundations --but I am talking about this because I believe"the concrete actions and habits that follow" are necessary. 　 　That is, after all,
　


the flow where what they read gradually shifts from 'picture books' to 'children's literature'. 　　 　This was very effective for my eldest daughter.

　From picture books to children's literature...
　At first, they are very similar.

　Among children's books, those with large text and many illustrations don't feel any different to a child than picture books.
　By gradually introducing such books, you can subtly increase the amount of text they read. 　
　When that happens, it ultimatelyreturns to the topics from letters (7) through (11)... 　I would be happy if you could read them again if you'd like.

　Now, 　

Consciously shifting the books they read daily from picture books to children's literature

is a concrete technique, I think.

　
　Then, the child

starts by having an adult 'read to them', but once they become interested in
'stories' composed of text, they gradually start to'read the story themselves' even while sitting on their mom or dad's lap. 　 　Then, gradually,

"It's faster to read it myself than to have someone read it out loud to me"

--they start to feel that way.

　Children grow at a speed that surprises adults every day, and if you continue a habit, you will definitely step up at some point, right?


　　Because the feeling of"being spoiled" by being read to changes into the feeling of "what happens next in this story?" so at a certain point, they will say, "I'll read it myself now."

　
　After all, don't you think there are no parents who read long stories like Harry Potter aloud? (That's an extreme example, though.)
　--No, no, that's impossible... right?

　
　For a child, when a book is transformed from

　"something to get spoiled by parents and gain love and a sense of security" into "something that fulfills the desire to know interesting stories"

　--that shift leads to the concrete change in behavior where

the child becomes a 'child who reads' after having been read to.. 　
　I remember working hard to read aloud to both my eldest and second daughters, but truly, at some point, before I knew it, the children were reading books by themselves.

　--When was it?
　--It's funny, but I can't remember...

　But at some point, there must have been a shift where they realized "books are things you read yourself."
　Perhaps it happened just like water suddenly overflowing from a cup.
　

　Then,

does the exchange of love disappear when you stop reading aloud?
　--No, no, of course that's not the case.

　In the first place, there are parents and children who don't make a habit of reading aloud, and I don't think that means their love is lacking at all.
　

　Expressions of love are different for every person, every parent-child relationship, and every family.

　
　However, returning to the topic of "reading aloud" and "reading," some people might think that once they graduate from reading aloud, they can no longer express love through books as parent and child.
　

　I believe thatonce a child starts 'reading books by themselves,' from then on, you can express love through books using words and heart.
　 　Specifically,

Once they get off your lap, the next step is for the child to 'read' the book and for the parent to be the one who 'listens'

--That is what I mean.


When a child starts reading books they like on their own, depending on the child, they might tell their parent,
'Hey, hey, I'm reading this book right now...'
At that time, the parent asks,
'What kind of book is it?' 'What's the story about?' 'What's interesting about it?' And when the child

tells you about it, you listen carefully. Also, even if the child doesn't bring it up, if they are reading something, find a good moment and ask,


'Hey, what kind of book are you reading now? Would you mind telling me?'... and listen. Then, the child

talks about what they read. And the parent
listens. Slowly. This is

Important communication--the next step after reading aloud

--is what I think it is.

By having the childoutput the content of the book they read in their own words, their vocabulary, expressive ability, and writing skills may improve, and I believe that by having the parent listen to them,the child can feel just as much love as they do when being read to....
If it feelsa bit lacking, you can alwaysgive them a big hug or pat them on the head at those times.

Having their parent listen to their story, show a smile, and be happy... that must be a very joyful thing for a child.

I think that if this habit exists, children will enjoy reading the children's books that parents casually provide as an extension of picture books.

That is what I consider

'a child's reading habit that is a certain extension of reading aloud'

--to be.


The letter continues.

Next, I would like to talk about how we cannot be happy with knowledge alone.


<Graduation called 'I love Mom's lap, but from now on I'll read by myself'>

・Click here for letter (24).
(24) Living with 'piled-up books' since around age 5 was the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago - | Emi Suzuhara (note.com)


・Click here for letter (1)
(1) Books piled up since around age 5 were the shortest route to becoming a 'child who reads' - To the mom I met 10 years ago - | Emi Suzuhara (note.com)