By Harmel Deanne Codi, JD, MBA
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” – Charles W. Eliot.
Ever observed a toddler, wholly engrossed in a colorful picture book, their little fingers tracing illustrations, their eyes darting over pages with keen interest? This image, endearing as it is, illustrates a profound aspect of early Reading: its ability to extend a child’s attention span. As our world becomes an ever-growing hub of digital distractions, the gift of an extended attention span is indispensable, especially within the classroom. But how does early Reading contribute to this? Let’s turn the pages and discover.
Structured Engagement
Reading requires a certain degree of focus. It’s a multi-step cognitive process from decoding words to understanding the narrative. When children start reading early, they get accustomed to this structured engagement, gradually extending their focus time. For example, Think of Dr. Seuss’s “The Cat in the Hat.” Though seemingly simple, following the misadventures of the Cat requires a child to focus, predict, and connect dots – all enhancing attention span.
Rich & Stimulating Content
Good children’s books aren’t just about stories; they blend visuals, words, emotions, and, often, interactive elements. Engaging with such rich content requires attention, teaching kids to concentrate despite multiple stimuli.
Quotation: “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.” – Kate DiCamillo. And it’s a gift that keeps giving, enhancing focus and concentration.
Enhancing Predictive Skills
As children immerse themselves in stories, they begin to anticipate plot developments. This prediction requires prolonged attention to understand narrative cues and foresee outcomes. For instance, While reading “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, children anticipate Max’s next adventure. This anticipation requires them to pay attention to previous events, reinforcing extended focus.
Boosting Memory Recall
Reading requires children to remember details, fostering a strong memory recall. To recollect previously read details, a child has to sustain their attention across pages, thus reinforcing a longer attention span. For example, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. requires kids to remember and recite previously introduced animals, training them to focus for extended periods.
Creating a Calm & Reflective Space
In our digital age, many children are accustomed to quick-screen stimuli. Books, in contrast, offer a calm space, allowing children to slow down, reflect, and extend their focus.
Quotation: “In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” – Mortimer J. Adler. By offering a tranquil escape, reading nurtures a naturally extended attention span.
In Conclusion
As classrooms worldwide continue to evolve, integrating technology and innovative pedagogies, the age-old skill of maintaining sustained attention remains paramount. And what better tool to foster this than books? So, as we navigate the 21st century, let’s gift our children the magic of early Reading, preparing them for the classroom and life.
References:
Eliot, Charles W. Reflections on the value of books.
Dr. Seuss. “The Cat in the Hat.”
DiCamillo, Kate. Insights on the joy of Reading.
Sendak, Maurice. “Where the Wild Things Are.”
Martin Jr., Bill. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?”
Adler, Mortimer J. Reflections on the depth of Reading.
