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Why read books to children?

Simply learning phonics may likely not be sufficient for a child to learn to read. There is significant overlap between word recognition and language comprehension. Competence in both are needed by skilled readers.

For example, learning vocabulary can be done orally. That would be language comprehension (or aquisition). However, vocabulary is also related to word recognition. To know a word orally would likely not allow the child to read that word. In addition, they would need to learn the sounds (phonemes) that spell the word in order to read it.

Therefore, it is important that a child is exposed to exercises in both word recognition and language comprehension.

Duke, N.K., & Cartwright, K.B. (2021). The Science of Reading Progresses: Communicating Advances Beyond the Simple View of Reading. Read Res Q, 56(S1), S25–S44. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.411

It may therefore be crucial for a child to have significant exposure to their language of instruction. There is an article with the title "A “million word gap” for children who aren’t read to at home. That’s how many fewer words some may hear by kindergarten."

It's not too difficult to see how a deficit in exposure to oral language may contribute to the a child's progress with learning to read.

The article suggests reading 5 books to a child each day.

"...here’s how many words kids would have heard by the time they were 5 years old: Never read to, 4,662 words; 1-2 times per week, 63,570 words; 3-5 times per week, 169,520 words; daily, 296,660 words; and five books a day, 1,483,300 words."

It doesn't have to be a parent reading to a child. There are good podcasts and books read aloud on YouTube.

However, the article suggests interaction with a parent may further increase a child's exposure to language. "Logan said the million word gap found in this study is likely to be conservative. Parents will often talk about the book they’re reading with their children or add elements if they have read the story many times."

Ohio State University. "A 'million word gap' for children who aren't read to at home." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 April 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190404074947.htm>.

The bottom line, here is a website with a lot of English language resources you can use to expose your child to varied vocabulary. If your child is exposed to a greater variety of vocabulary it is likely to help them become skilled readers.

Resources

Children can have a free library card from both Saint-Sauveur and Morin-Heights

Here's a good article on classic chapter books that you could read aloud to your child.

Reading together can be a great way to share the study of language together. English is my maternal language. I'm learning French and it is difficult. I like to read in French with my daughter because she doesn't care if I make a mistake and I get learn along with her at the same time.

A large library of English books. Students may have their own account from school already. It is possible to read 1 book each day for free. After that it is $80 per year for unlimited access. The best thing about this app / website is that it will "read to you" and highlight the words. This can be a great help for beginning readers or readers who need some extra help.

If you're looking for ideas on which books or series for your child to read on Epic click the links below for lists of recommended reads: