Preschool Story Telling
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by: Gigliola
Total views: 28
Word Count: 477
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 Time: 4:21 PM
At a time when the internet has taken over our society, it is rare that parents tell children a bed time story in these times. Even children learn to use computers to do all kinds of things. Story telling is slowly becoming an old tradition and children are less interested in books. Children are born to be read, but they need us to help them develop the love for reading. Reading requires us to look at the world from a unique perspective, to daydream, imagine, laugh, and pretend –all of these which children do naturally. Reading help us make sense of the world and express ideas and feelings in ways that every day language cannot. Reading should be a time when children can enjoy a book and relax. A quality early childhood setting has a story time as part of their daily routine for preschoolers. Stories can also be read while children are at learning centers; this time allows the teacher to focus on individual children. Every opportunity needs to be taken to help our children become fluent and efficient readers. The library in the classroom should have variety of books to increase children’s interest. A basket of books that relate to the materials or specific activities can also be placed in each center to increase the creativity and learning. Children need to understand that written language conveys messages. Reading helps children to become thinkers and communicators who are actively reviewing and analyzing information. Therefore, teachers need to be trained in literacy techniques to help children be successful as users of literacy for a variety of purposes. Some techniques for introducing books to children are to make a walkthrough of the book. Children are shown the cover of the book and the teacher talks about the author and the illustrator. Then they will continue to talk about the pictures on the cover. The teacher may ask different open ended questions so the children describe the pictures on the cover. This way the children develop their vocabulary and the teacher gets an idea of what concepts to reinforce. The same procedure is used to make a picture walk of the book, children will describe what they see in each picture. By this time children have not read the book, but this gives them an opportunity to predict what will happen. When this process is complete, the teacher will read the book and allow space for children to interact and ask questions. Books for preschool readers should be developmentally appropriate; these are rhyming books, with little print and big pictures. Reading is an important skill that must be developed during the early stages of life. Teachers and parents play and important role in the lives of our children and are the key to successful readers.
About the Author
Gigliola Moriyon
Owner and Director
Kids in Action
Miami, Fl
