Children Need to Be Part of a Community of Readers

© Beverley Paine, 2004

Remember, as a homeschooling parent you are not alone. It's been shown that young children who frequently visit older relatives, take part of extended families, and go on outings and activities are more advanced in reading than children with more limited access to grown-ups.

That's another reason to want to deprive your children from learning with a class of same-aged peers!

It's reassuring to know that when we offer our children opportunities to socialise with adults we are, at the same time, and without much effort, advancing their overall development.

There are so many opportunities for reading during outings with other people. At homeschooling excursions or whenever we went out and the opportunity arose to read information on plaques or notices I read them aloud for everyone to hear. It made me look a bit like a teacher but I noticed that lots of the children seemed to appreciate it - even the accomplished readers in the group.

There is a lot going one when our children hear other people read. Accents make it interesting. People say words differently. Some adults read more fluently than others. This may give your child confidence in his or her ability, help them realise that not everyone finds reading easy.

We read for different purposes too - not just for entertainment. Witnessing other people read for different reasons can definitely help motivate so-called 'reluctant' readers and help them see that it is okay to not like reading 'books'. People who never read books grow up to be competent readers!

Whenever you have your child minded by a trusted adult, make sure there is a variety of reading material that will not only interest and hold your children's attention, but will also be a joy for your friend or relative to read aloud to your children.