We are the best reading models.

We are the best reading models for our children.  Without knowing it our children watch and absorb what we do and don't do.  Modeling, showing how to do something as a more experienced person in a particular skill, is a powerful way to teach.  In the classroom, I take advantage of using modeling all the time.  Sometimes I model my thinking, and when students are beginning to grasp a particular skill or strategy, I let them model for the rest of the class. It helps learners to understand and "see" what to do.  It is one of the main ways we learn how and what is expected.  I can model, or show my daughter how to make cookies, and then support her learning with reminders and being available for questions as she tries on her own.  By watching me "model" how to do it many times, she becomes ready to try on her own.

I was recently talking with a first grader about reading "as a grown up" and he assured me that grown ups don't read books.  He didn't need to worry about reading because he didn't need to do it when he grew up.  I was a little taken aback for a minute, and went on with our lesson for the day because I really didn't have a great response for him.  His experience is that adults don't read.

If we want to support our children in learning how to read we need to model that reading is an important thing that adults do all the time.  Share with your child some of the everyday reading you might do at work, at home, or for information or pleasure.  Adults have many day to day tasks that require reading, everything from recipes, to tax forms, to news, to relaxation.  When our children see that reading is something that we do, they will absorb that fact as part of their understanding about the world.  Share parts of of your reading life with your child.  Spend some time letting them see you do some reading, for children are great imitators!  They will follow your model.