Never Ever Too Early
Courtesy of Read Aloud 15 Minutes
By Mark W.F. Condon, Unite for Literacy vice president
We named our company Unite for Literacy because our free, online library with books narrated in 60+ languages, has value for everyone, everywhere, who is interested in promoting literacy.
We are not involved in any way in the ongoing debate about a one and only true way to advance reading and writing for new readers. However, we are happy to supply the many sides of that never-ending conversation with a steady flow of an abundance of narrated picture books for those new to reading, families learning English, or others around the world exploring family life and nature. How parents, volunteers and professionals choose to use our books is up to them. We are dedicated that everyone learning to read has access to culturally relevant books, and that access is not hindered by cost, or lack of supply.
We have found the advocacy work of Read Aloud 15 Minutes to be both well-conceived and beautifully delivered. We are honored to be listed on their website as a “National Campaign Pulse Partner.” These folks work tirelessly to encourage parents, siblings, other family members, neighbors, and anybody else who has at least 15 minutes to spare, to do good for the world, and for those they care for, by reading aloud to them and with them. Why is that so important?
Read Aloud 15 Minutes emphasizes that a ”…baby’s brain is making literally trillions of connections during the first few years, the fastest it will ever grow. Reading to young children during those early years, when new readers are newborns, infants, toddlers, or preschoolers, can literally ‘light up your child’s brain.’”
The simple and powerful take-away message is two-part: “Parents, it is up to you!,” but "If you wait, it is too late.” (To be completely accurate, the substance of this message is that language growth and brain development do have a process of opportunity that completes its work around the age of 6 years.)
We wholeheartedly endorse starting NOW to read to new readers regardless of age and/or level of brain development. The time to start reading to new readers is now. If that new reader is newborn, start now. If they are a preschooler, start now. An 80-year-old? Now!
It may become too late for reading aloud to impact the early brain development of a young new reader, but it is never, ever, too late to impact language development and to launch the joys and opportunities of literacy development.
No one is ever too old to enjoy and benefit from being read-to.
Never. Ever.