If you want your children to have a better vocabulary and reading development, maybe consider reading them five books a day.
The new million-word gap research from Ohio University states that children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than children who have never been read to.
August 17 marked the beginning of Book Week and the G8 centre in Gosnells Great Beginnings childcare is already implementing the million-word gap strategy by reinforcing the message that literacy learning begins with children having access to books.
Children’s Book Week was celebrated at the centre with a focus on bridging the million-word gap into childcare.
G8 Education Pedagogy and Practice manager Dr Melinda Miller said the research underlined the importance of reading to children and the role of early childhood educators in setting children up for life-long learning.
“It shows how critically important it is that we read to children in our centres and support them to develop a love of learning, reading and speaking,” she said.
“Ideally, reading begins with babies, in fact in utero.
“This continues as children progress in their learning journey beginning formal literacy learning when they begin in primary school.”
The City of Gosnells is also supporting Children’s Book Week from August 17-23 with an annual celebration for children’s literature to encourage children to read books.
This year’s theme for children’s Book Week is ‘Reading is my secret power’.
The city is holding a range of programs and events during Book Week at all city libraries including free programs such as baby rhyme time, story time and learning English through story time.
