Adult Recreational Reading. Another early literacy strategy is passive in nature: observation. When children observe adults participating in recreational literacy, they are encouraged to like reading as well. According to Merga and Mat Roni (2018), reading is social. Research has indicated that many avid adult readers have had a person, typically a maternal or paternal figure, positively and significantly influence their attitude toward books Merga and Moon (2016) investigated the frequency and volume of engagement, current attitudes, and influences by social groups (parents, teachers, peers, etc.) on adolescent attitudes toward recreational reading. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between the parents’ and the students’ frequency and attitude toward reading. The strongest correlation was between fathers and sons. This study demonstrated the important role parent’s engagement in reading can have in affecting their child’s attitude toward reading.
Summary
The benefits of early reading are undeniable. Reading aloud to children is important because it develops comprehension as well as vocabulary, familiarizes a child with written language, engages them in positive experiences at a young age, and provides numerous other benefits (Ledger & Merga, 2018; Smith, 1997). Shared reading is even more influential as it enhances vocabulary and fosters positive interactions with caregivers by including interaction with the caregiver and the text (Merga & Mat Roni, 2018; Whitehurst & Lonigan, 2001). Adult recreational reading, though passive in nature, exposes children to a love of reading in someone they care for or respect, which has been shown to create lasting effects (Merga & Mat Roni, 2018). The studies mentioned offer support for each strategy in the home environment and demonstrate their impact on student achievement.
Both reading attitudes and early literacy strategies have an effect on a student’s reading ability. A positive reading attitude has shown to boost reading success, while a negative attitude can diminish or prevent success. Early literacy strategies such as reading aloud, shared reading, and adult recreational reading have a significant impact. These strategies have the potential to impact not only students’ reading success, but their attitude toward reading as well. According to the stated data, parents can contribute greatly toward students’ future successes in reading, as well as their reading attitude, by involving their children in early literacy strategies in the preschool years.
References
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Jamie Bendorf (Spencer) achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Following graduation taught second grade at Concordia Elementary School in Concordia
Missouri. She now attends Missouri State University where she is pursuing her Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Literacy, planning to graduate in May of 2019.
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