Challenging and Comforting the Early Reader

I promised a two-part series on choosing good quality children’s books, but as I delve deeper into the topic, it appears that I would be giving my readers short shrift if I did; so today I will be addressing the early reader, from about age seven up to age eleven, when the challenges of the tween years kick in. These are the years in which the habit of reading is established. I cannot emphasize too greatly the importance of modeling a regular reading habit yourself, as well as providing adequate quiet reading time for the family as a whole, perhaps after dinner (not during, although this is a case where I confess my familial habit of reading during meals. Mea culpa!) Choosing appropriate, calming music to play during family reading time can also be helpful in beginning the trajectory from the busy day to an early bedtime.

I can hear the protests as I write: “But, Laurel, that’s my only time to go online!” I understand the pull of the online world, it’s been the best place for me to find like-minded friends. However, if you plan an early enough bedtime for the children, there will be at least some time later in the evening to explore the pages of Faith and Heritage (shameless plug!).

Let me attempt to draw a picture for you. Depending on the number of children you have, your reading time will look different. Obviously the first, or only, child (along with his or her parents) enjoys a quieter reading time than the child with three or more siblings. But with the addition of siblings comes opportunity to develop servant leadership in the oldest child. Rather than provide the younger children with active play toys, create a comfortable reading area in the room where they find stacks or shelves of the kind of board books and picture books we talked about in the previous article. While Mom or Dad may take turns reading to the youngest, as the oldest develops his or her reading skills, he or she should be expected to read to the younger children as well. There are few things so effective in cementing knowledge, in this case knowledge of how to read, as teaching someone else how to perform the task. This is a way of challenging the early reader, important if he or she is to progress. And it is comforting to have the help of a parent close by, if needed.

Another part of this picture might be to ensure that, while there are books appropriate to age and reading level within your oldest child’s physical reach, it is helpful to assure that there are plenty of appropriate books of adult reading level down where he or she can reach them without strain. Choosing to read Ivanhoe, my favorite book for a number of years, when I was barely ten strengthened my reading ability as well as my love for the better forms of literature. Don’t push advanced literature on a child, but don’t make it too difficult to reach. You never know how your child may be inspired, and, yes, challenged.

Different children will, of course, have different reading skill levels. Most children will learn to read between the ages of five and eight.¹ While different systems of education will promote different forms of reading instruction, such as the Bluedorn’s (Classical Christian Education) recommendation of phonics instruction, ² Waldorf Education’s promotion of the imaginative life of the child and introduction to the letters in a creative manner,³ or Narration and Copywork a la Charlotte Mason,⁴ for the family at home I personally believe that making reading a family priority, no matter what the educational technique used, will go a long way towards developing the joy of the reading habit in children.

So we face the very adult challenge, once again, of having to choose books that entertain and educate while promoting appreciation of our heritage and faith. I stand by the recommendations in my previous article, “A Good Children’s Book is Hard to Find”⁵ — look for books that enhance the character qualities you wish your children to have; for books that respect and do not trivialize the Christian faith; books that respect and follow your family’s ethnic heritage, be it general American/European, or individual countries and ethnic enclaves within Europe.

Make sure the books respect appropriate gender roles, and, especially for boys, contain an element of adventure and danger that will rivet his attention. This is, of course, a few steps up from the TRUCKS! board book idea I mentioned in the first article, but related. Men have a healthy need to conquer their environment, and books about men who have dared to attempt so feed that God-given desire. The G.A. Henty books are a time-proven series of historical adventure books. “His heroes are diligent, courageous, intelligent and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril.”⁶ The reading level, however, is definitely towards the upper end of our grouping. For boys who struggle with reading, unabridged Henty audiobooks are available.⁷

While I cannot vouch for the content of all of the books in the “50 Best Books for Boys and Young Men”⁸ booklist, they are all targeted to the interests of young boys and men. The parent will have to review the cultural orientation of each individual title to determine if it fits our criteria. Still, it’s a valuable reference.

I’d like to have a booklist for young girls alone, but after looking at lists targeted at that age group, I’d have to say that most of them are suitable for both girls and boys. Stuart Little, C harlotte’s Web, The Wind in the Willows, anything anthropomorphic attracts children of this age. The Narnia books by C.S. Lewis, a little more advanced on the reading level, always appeal. Lamplighter Books⁹ reprints character-building books from the 1800s that tug on the emotions and point to God. Keepers of the Faith¹⁰ personally proofreads every suggested book for purity of content. Mott Media¹¹ now offers some adventure book series (and series books are comforting to the young reader due to their predictability, ensuring a desire to continue reading). Please note that just because I reference a source for books, I do not mean it is the only good option out there. Many exist, as the popularity of books written back when our society was still predominantly Christian has exploded, and there are a number of different retailers of enriching literature.

Although it falls more under the instructional reading heading, the 1830s McGuffey’s Readers hold literary treasure and a challenging progression of reading skills. They are available through Mott Media.

What’s missing from my recommendations? Many books from the mid-twentieth century onwards. So many books that date from the 1960s onward, in their attempts to be fair to minorities, inclusive of “under-represented” groups, and to “open up” all careers and possibilities to girls have become just so much propaganda. Most books with this kind of orientation are not particularly well-written and do little to encourage a true love of reading among the young. If you want to include books from this era on, I can’t stress highly enough that you must read them first. It’s impossible to keep up with the rate at which these kinds of books are published, and frankly, I don’t want to.

Some exceptions might be books that focus on how things work or activities the young might do, such as The New Way Things Work and Castle, by David Macaulay. The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden is a worthy follow-up to The American Boy’s Handy Book. I’m not as confident of The Daring Book for Girls, which seems to be a less worthy knock-off of The American Girl’s Handy Book. Again, this is an area where some time spent in the bookstore or among library shelves, without accompanying children, would be enlightening.

But the overall picture for this age group is a picture of family reading in a comfortable setting, with mother and father available for help if need be. If all is perking along comfortably, the ease with which the early reader can progress up the levels is remarkable, and he or she can learn servant leadership at the same time. In these pleasant scenes, one should not neglect the discussion of books, even the adult books being read, so that valuable points and critical examination of not-so-valuable points can be shared with all the children. The habit of examination is built early; we should model it all our lives.

In my next article on children’s books, I will address the tween market. It is one which is fraught with danger, and needs a parent’s critical eye the most.

 

Read Part 1 of the series here.

Read Part 3 of the series here.

 

 

Tweet