ECRR Concept of the Week (9-13-2007)

In the most recent copy of School Library Journal, there is an article about recognizing that every child learns differently. For instance, some boys do better in a classroom environment where they can get up and walk around, jump, sit under the desk or whatever. Sitting still all day for indefinite periods of time is almost an impossibility and can stifle learning. The same can be said for young children on the path to reading. During storytime, children do not always sit perfectly still and listen. Sometimes, they get up, look out the window, turn in circles, take off their shoes or whatever else picques their curiosity at that time. And you know what? That's okay! Adults tend to think that children should act in a certain way, but their little brains are telling them something else. The important thing is that they are seeing someone model reading while at the same time the other kids are modeling how to listen to the story. Young children are learning that reading is fun. And before it can ever be educational, it must be fun to them. So the next time you try to read to a child and they get up to pick a piece of lint from your shoes, just keep reading. Before you know it, they will be so engrossed in the story that you may just have to read it again.-Amy Dawson, Youth Services Librarian, Catawba County Library System