Learning and Literacy

Thompson Fillmer and Cliett (1992) provide parents with strategies for a child-centered approach to reading and writing that is never imposed or forced. Below is a summary of some of the strategies that Thompson Fillmer and Cliett suggest:*

• The parent is the best home teacher and role model.

• Natural curiosity that all young children possess enables them to learn on their own.

• Learning occurs “from the inside out” through normal daily activities that parents can capitalize on.

• Learning through their senses – children become literate through their environment...the sense of hearing being the most developed.

• Life experiences bring about the words in your child that convey intense personal meaning…they are called the “inner words” which are vital to each child. Parents can learn how to use these powerful, personal and important words to develop their child’s literacy.

• The learning environment is better enriched without artificial activities to develop the early and extensive vocabulary of inner words.

• Research shows the greatest amount of learning takes place when the brain is developing the fastest… at birth. Early immersion into a rich environment stimulates the greatest development in their lifetime

• It is important that parents learn the simple developmental principles and understand their vital importance. Participating parents are conscientious parents who are committed to giving their children the best preparation for life. Several goals are achieved at once…an important one is to become a life-long learner with a desire to learn.

• Begin now…wherever you are at. Take charge of their education before they reach school age.

• Experiences precede words. The child’s experiences and activities at home serve a basis for literacy development and provide the foundation towards your child’s literacy.

• The “inner words”, those significant words in your child’s mind emerge from those meaningful experiences that happen early in life. Inner words are more than words…they are POWERFUL SYMBOLS representing your child’s most important experiences.

• Parents as models…read to your child, then your child will see reading is important to the family.

• Surround your home with many books…read daily…find a quiet, well lit and comfortable area.

• Experts believe that human development is closely related to social experiences. Make yourself available for the child to converse…asking questions, talking about family events.

• A child is really learning to read almost all the time. The beginnings are in the child’s pretending, talking about stories, conversing and asking you to write or draw.

• Listen to your child and follow up interests and try to see this through the eyes of the child.

• Simple experiences like a bird or a bud in the yard can be an occasion to read and initiate reading and will lead to the writing experience.

• Children can communicate by scribbling quite forcefully to indicate they are ready to write.

• At 18 months, most children can hold writing or drawing tools. These scribbles will become recognizable shapes and patterns. Each child will progress at a different pace. The significant factor in the process is how parents and siblings react to these marks that the child has made. The more encouragement and enthusiasm the drawings receive…the more rapid the development will be.

*see Thompson Fillmer, H. and Bill Cole Cliett. Nurturing Your Child's Natural Literacy. Maupin House Publishers, 1992.