A Guide to Making Lifelong Memories While Building Early Literacy Skills
January. What are your childhood memories of January? I remember cold, cold days playing in the snow on our farm south of Canton. With my brother and sisters we dug snow forts, pulled each other in sleds, and made countless snow angels. We wore hand-me-down clothes, used Wonder Bread bags in our winter boots to keep our feet dry, and only had three channels on our TV that worked consistently.
Looking back, I realize that my childhood was quite simple. In some ways, this time during the pandemic has reminded me of my childhood. My calendar is not filled with engagements, events, and after work meetings that I need to rush off to. We are having more family conversations, playing more games, reading more books, and gathering near our fireplace every night.
Are you finding that you, too, have more family time these days? What will your January memories be? Below are some ideas to consider for making lifelong memories and building early literacy skills by doing simple things (and of course, research to support the ideas).
Read Together
Did you know that if a young child is read to at least three times a week, that child is twice as likely to score in the top 25% of reading in later school years? For young children, this is often a great time to settle their brains and calm their bodies as they enjoy a great story.
The words and pictures in the books are only half the fun. The conversations you have with your children while and after reading become priceless memories. You can apply comprehension strategies by talking about how one thought, picture, or the book reminds you of something else–another book, something in your family or home, or any shared experience. Cherish your favorite books by displaying them together and reading them over and over!
For older children, learning to listen for sounds in words (phonemes) is the number one predictor of future reading achievement. Learning to listen for sounds does not need to be a formal lesson. Incorporating listening for sounds into your conversations gives it more meaning and makes it fun instead of work. At this stage, we just want children to hear the sounds and begin thinking about letters that go with them. Next time you have a DQ Blizzard, over emphasize the “Z” sound. Casually mention, “Wow, I think I just heard the ‘Z’ sound in that word, did you hear it?” Or, “What sounds do you hear in that word?” Maybe you are not a DQ fan? Do you like B&G “aVVVValanches” or McDonalds “McfluRRRRRies?”
Speaking of blizzards, avalanches, and flurries...
Learn New Words
Have fun with new words and “experience” them together. For example, once children have learned to recognize basic weather concepts, expand on their vocabulary with new terms like blizzards, avalanches, and flurries. Saying the words with a fancy British accent or with a pirate voice is kind of fun–guaranteed to get a laugh! Attaching the weather words to the delicious treats is a great excuse to eat ice cream while comparing and contrasting multiple meaning words (“How are winter blizzards and DQ Blizzards the same? How are they different?”). Research shows that children are more likely to store words and concepts in long-term memory when we experience emotion while learning them–especially joy! When we compare and contrast new ideas while attaching them to previous knowledge, we deepen comprehension. And using one or more of the five senses is crème de la crème for our brains.
New words are not just for young children; in my home, we nicknamed our junk drawer “the gallimaufry.” When you look up the definition, be sure to read with a British accent!
Mrs. Brenda Bernard
Early Childhood Director & Elementary Principal, SFLS
Sources:
National Center for Education Statistics
Harvard Center for the Developing Child
Building Background Knowledge, Marzano
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
At Sioux Falls Lutheran School, our mission is to develop capable, Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, we are committed to partnering with parents and the church to raise lifelong learners who use their gifts and the fruits of the Spirit, in faith, to touch a troubled world with God’s grace.