Taking pleasure in reading does not happen to a person overnight. It cannot be learned in a year’s time. The appreciation of literature has to be nurtured early in the young child and given expression through a stimulating environment and a cultural setting that highly values the written word.
It all begins in the womb. Rocking the baby to sleep to the tune of a gentle lullaby is an early introduction to rhythm and music for this infant. This involves listening, touching, and movement. Listening to the music, sensing the stroking or touch of the caregiver, and feeling the gentle rocking, back and forth. These 3 essential experiences are just as important in the development of reading skills.
On the other hand, children brought up in an uncaring orphanage have fewer opportunities for external stimulation. These children often stare blankly into space, remote from any social contact, and are often seen rocking themselves to sleep. The contrasting effects of these two environments show just how important an early introduction to affective learning is to the development of a child. Affective learning relates to feelings, appreciation, and enjoyment. When the cradled infant hears the melodious tune and feels the touch of warm human figure, the infant is observed to be in a relaxed state. Except for selected cases wherein the child is experiencing physical discomfort, most infants feel secure and remain calm when they are in the arms of a loving person. How does affective learning apply to reading? Up to a year old, the child is exposed to his own person and his home surroundings. He discovers the wonders of his body. This is the time when he places his fingers in his mouth; learns to move forward with the use of his legs, torso and arms; takes delight in listening to the the adults around him; takes part in “peek-a-boo” games and starts to call his parents in monosyllabic terms such as “dada” and “mama”. When the people around him find delight and show affection for this little child, the child responds with more zest and gusto. His repertory of learned behavior is expanded. He listens more intently and when read to, becomes engrossed and focuses on the pictures.
As soon as the baby can be propped up to sit on the adult’s lap, picture storybooks can be read to him. Story time must be a pleasurable activity, hence, the best time and place should be chosen for this. Most parents choose the time before sleeping as a relaxed and un rushed moment for the child and the adult as well.
To the toddler, colorful picture books are a hit. The more vivid and colorful the pictures, the better for the child. Books for toddlers come in varying sizes, make, and shape. The most common is the regular sized books. It is easy to handle, as the page size is just right and easy to turn. The stories for toddlers in this series include those that have to do with their family life, everyday objects, parts of the body (e.g., a story on fingers and how each play an important role) and humorous ones that would appeal to this very young age. Books of washable materials like cloth, plastic, and foam are made with the toddler in mind.
In reading stories to this age group, it is important to be as dramatic as can be. A mother who reads a special book on food pretends she can taste the food by mimicking “eating” sounds and “smelling” the food.
comfort, most infants feel secure and remain calm when they are in the arms of a loving person.
How does affective learning apply to reading? Up to a year old, the child is exposed to his own person and his home surroundings. He discovers the wonders of his body. This is the time when he places his fingers in his mouth; learns to move forward with the use of his legs, torso and arms; takes delight in listening to the adults around him; takes part in “peek-a-boo” games and starts to call his parents in monosyllabic terms such as “dada” and “mama”. When the people around him find delight and show affection for this little child, the child responds with more zest and gusto. His repertory of learned behaviour is expanded. He listens more intently and when read to, becomes engrossed and focuses on the pictures.
As soon as the baby can be propped up to sit on the adult’s lap, picture storybooks can be read to him. Story time must be a pleasurable activity, hence, the best time and place should be chosen for this. Most parents choose the time before sleeping as a relaxed and unrushed moment for the child and the adult as well.
To the toddler, colourful picture books are a hit. The more vivid and colourful the pictures, the better for the child. Books for toddlers come in varying sizes, make, and shape. The most common is the regular sized books, such as the Adarna series. It is easy to handle, as the page size is just right and easy to turn. The stories for toddlers in this series include those that have to do with their family life, everyday objects, parts of the body (e.g., a story on fingers and how each play an important role) and humorous ones that would appeal to this very young age. Books of washable materials like cloth, plastic, and foam are made with the toddler in mind.
In reading stories to this age group, it is important to be as dramatic as can be. A mother who reads a special book on food pretends she can taste the food by mimicking “eating” sounds and “smelling” the food.
Comfort, most infants feel secure and remain calm when they are in the arms of a loving person.
How does affective learning apply to reading? Up to a year old, the child is exposed to his own person and his home surroundings. He discovers the wonders of his body. This is the time when he places his fingers in his mouth; learns to move forward with the use of his legs, torso and arms; takes delight in listening to the adults around him; takes part in “peek-a-boo” games and starts to call his parents in monosyllabic terms such as “dada” and “mama”. When the people around him find delight and show affection for this little child, the child responds with more zest and gusto. His repertory of learned behaviour is expanded. He listens more intently and when read to, becomes engrossed and focuses on the pictures.
As soon as the baby can be propped up to sit on the adult’s lap, picture storybooks can be read to him. Story time must be a pleasurable activity, hence, the best time and place should be chosen for this. Most parents choose the time before sleeping as a relaxed and unrushed moment for the child and the adult as well.
To the toddler, colourful picture books are a hit. The more vivid and colorful the pictures, the better for the child. Books for toddlers come in varying sizes, make, and shape. The most common is the regular sized books, such as the Adarna series. It is easy to handle, as the page size is just right and easy to turn. The stories for toddlers in this series include those that have to do with their family life, everyday objects, parts of the body (e.g., a story on fingers and how each play an important role) and humorous ones that would appeal to this very young age. Books of washable materials like cloth, plastic, and foam are made with the toddler in mind.
In reading stories to this age group, it is important to be as dramatic as can be. A mother who reads a special book on food pretends she can taste the food by mimicking “eating” sounds and “smelling” the food.
The natural reaction of the child is to take delight in this and adds action, as grabbing the picture food and kissing the page as will the use of varying voice tones can also make story time more exciting. For example, when the story calls for a “big, bad wolf”, gruff voices make. The story more realistic and stimulates the imagination of the young child.
