Fern Michonski / Fern’s Music
Pre-School Music Education Expert: The children’s advocate for love, learning and a healthy lifestyle.
May 15, 2014—Why be an author of children’s books?
I was recently visiting “The Literacy Site” https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152435045899456&set=a.80700289455.76838.6009749455&type=1&theater
I saw the above photo with the words: “Reading to children, even before they can understand words, teaches them to associate books with love and affection.”
I totally agree and I believe this goes even deeper than that. What happens to a pre-school child during the first five years of his/her life remains a part of them forever. (And the first 3 years are even more significant.) As a pre-school teacher, director and music instructor, I know this is absolutely true. I have had folks ask me what grade I teach. When I say, “Pre-school”, some people think that isn’t important—that elementary school is where the “real” learning begins. Not true. Infants start learning the second they are born. They are open books, absorbing their surroundings and watching everything their parents do. The examples we set remain with them forever.
So yes, reading to children teaches them to associate books with love and affection, but it also demonstrates that it is fun to read! It encourages them to realize books open up the whole world and even the universe to them. It instills a desire to read and that opens up the door to their future. That is why I am delighted to be a children’s musician, teacher, author and publisher. I am touching children’s hearts in a way that will last a lifetime.
Thank you to beginningreadinghelp.blogspot.com for the wonderful photo of children enjoying a good book!