Celebrating Children’s Book Week 2014
Children’s Book Week is all about connecting to reading this year. Children’s writer Susan Stephenson has practical tips how to help our kids experience the joy that reading brings.
Children’s Book Week in Australia this year is Saturday 16 August to Friday 22 August. Children and adults in homes, schools and public libraries are celebrating books, in particular the wonderful books created by our own Australian authors and illustrators. It’s a great time to take stock as a family of how important and enjoyable reading is for us all.
The theme this year is Connect to Reading. We hope children will make connections between what they read and their own lives – perhaps by realising there’s a link between how a character feels and how they have felt, or recognising a theme present in both a book and a movie they’ve seen. Parents can help by pointing out connections, and asking questions to guide kids to making connections for themselves. Just two questions: What happened? and Why? can help children better understand and make connections to reading.
Connection is something that’s important to all human beings – we want to connect with each other, with family and friends, and we’re driven to find connections within our own experiences. By helping our kids make connections with literature, we’re enriching their lives immeasurably. They gain an understanding of character motivations, and of the author’s theme and purpose for writing. As they read more, they begin to think critically, to analyse and respond to literature, and some kids will even go on to create literature of their own.
A useful way we can help our kids connect to reading is to encourage them to share books with their friends. Kids are social beings, and might enjoy setting up a neighbourhood book club or book swap event. Making connections with other readers – those ‘aha’ moments when our eyes light up – is a very real joy shared by readers young and old.
Extending the literature experience for kids is another brilliant way to help them connect to reading. In my sessions with preschool kids at my local library, I love to encourage them to talk about what they see, how they feel and what they think about a story. Sometimes we go on to make music about what we’ve read, or act it out. Sometimes we share moments when we’ve felt afraid or happy or cross. Children also love to re-tell a story using toys or puppets, and draw, paint and sculpt about it. Older kids are keen to use technology to share their own digital creations showing reactions to what they’ve read. These activities not only help kids connect to reading, but give them opportunities for thinking creatively – and our world needs creative thinkers!
Reading ability is closely linked with academic success. I believe the best way to build reading ability is to encourage children to ENJOY books and reading. One simple way to do this is help children have access to a range of reading material, allowing them to choose formats and subjects that interest them. Making sure each of our kids has a library card and a regular trip to the local library is also an excellent idea. Children’s Book Week helps us put a focus on connecting to reading, but reading and the joy it brings should be a year-round celebration!
Susan Stephenson is a children’s writer, blogger and reviewer who believes children engage more in their own learning when they enjoy themselves. Her twenty-five years as a teacher in Australia encouraged her to put that belief into practice – in the classroom and in her blogs, The Book Chook and Fun with Learning. Check out Susan’s website for free PDFs and other resources for parents, librarians and teachers.
