By Holly Engel-Smothers
Getting your twins "ready to get
ready to read" can start as early as their first days of life (although you may
feel more like resting after your growing family's big day!). The Early Literacy
Initiative (www.pla.org/earlyliteracy)
created a list of six pre-reading skills that help your children get ready to
read. As with all developmental milestones, children may acquire these skills
at different ages. Remember that each milestone builds on a previous milestone
and that every day is a baby step toward achievement, independence and
life-long learning. Below are six pre-reading skills that must be learned in
order to read and write.
- Phonological
Awareness: An on-going process, your twins learn the sounds in words with
every verbal communication. To help them achieve phonological awareness, speak
precisely in adult language -- no baby talk! Look at your twins while you're
speaking when possible so they can see your mouth, lips, tongue, and teeth move
and change shape in order to make sounds. Watch for any signs of ear infection
or hearing loss. Hearing health is vital for language and letter-sound learning,
and each day's language learning is vital to reach the next milestone.
- Narrative Skills:
This is when you get to be a "good listener." When your twins recall events,
describe experiences, or make up stories, make eye contact with them. Active listening -- versus "listening"
while reading the newspaper or watching TV -- shows that you have a genuine interest
in what they have to say, and that you think their thoughts are worthy of your
best attention. This is a confidence-builder, too. In reality, you can't stop
and give your full attention every time your twins speak, but make a goal to
actively listen to each twin several times a day. It may take only 10-15
minutes out of your 24 hours, but the payoff is life-long. During story time,
allow your children to simply "tell" what happens in a book by looking at the
pictures. Don't correct them if their story goes astray -- they may create a
better story than the book!
- Vocabulary: This
is simply knowing the names of things. Children learn vocabulary only through
listening, so go ahead and be descriptive. Use words to describe colors,
emotions, expressions, and smells. Vocabulary is enhanced every time you speak,
so keep in mind that every moment is a teaching moment.
- Print Awareness: This
skill involves knowing how to handle a book, turn the pages, and follow the
words on a page. Use your finger to point to the words when you read. Provide pint-sized
books for your twins' little hands. They may even like a bag, backpack, or old
purse to carry several books from room to room.
- Print Motivation:
This is teaching your twins to be in love with books! Who can't fall in love
with Beatrix Potter's farm animals or Dr. Seuss' crazy characters? Books can be
incorporated into every aspect of your day, so find books that relate to your
world: butterflies, ice, the moon, bulldozers, and pets. Favorite books will be
about your children's experiences, so ask the librarian for help in finding
special picture or board books.
- Letter Knowledge:
Think "phonics" in this step. Your twins should learn that letters are
different from each other. They should learn letter names and sounds. In the
library, look under "Concept Books" to find a plethora of ABC books. They
feature everything from dinosaurs to trucks to bunnies to farms. Pick out books
using your children's interests as a guide. The librarian can even order books
from other libraries if one of your twins is particularly head-over-heals about
tigers or imaginary monsters!
Whether you are reading to your
twins for the first time or the millionth time, keep in mind that your babies
are forever changed with every flip of a page!
[NOTE: This article is one of many from parent educator and
mom of twins (and a twingle), Holly Engel-Smothers, who will be sharing her
wisdom and expertise on the subject of reading through this "Literacy for
All" column, which will appear on a regular basis on TwinsTalk.]
