Many children have a "million-word gap" which contributes to differences in vocabulary and reading development. This and other disturbing findings regarding young children’s exposure to words has recently been reported by Dr. Jessica Logan, professor of educational studies at The Ohio State University. Based on her calculations, 5-year-old children who are never read to have only heard 4,662 words, whereas children read to 1 to 2 times per week, 63,570 words; 3 to 5 times per week, 169,520 words; daily, 296,660 words; and five children’s books a day, 1,483,300 words.
Children who read only one children’s book a day will hear an estimated 290,000 more words by age 5 than those who aren’t read a book. Children who read five children’s books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who aren’t read to. Logan’s prior research found that about one-fourth of children in a national sample were never read to and another fourth were seldom read to.
Reading to children is different than everyday communication. Children read to pick up reading skills more quickly and easily because books provide much more complex, difficult words and introduce concepts that don’t arise in daily conversation. Exposure to a literacy-rich environment is particularly important in learning to read and the extra-textual talk about a book adds additional new vocabulary words that children hear and learn.
Summer slide for students
Summer reading is critical for children to retain reading skills. Children in low-income households fall behind an average of two months in reading during the summer found research by the Colorado Department of Education. The Colorado research also found children with access to books over the summer see significantly more gains in reading than children without access to books.
"Parents can get access to books that are appropriate for their children at the local library," stated Dr. Logan. Live Oak Public Libraries are an excellent free resource for children and their caregivers to tens of thousands of books for children on a wide range of interests and reading levels. Libraries support children in selecting reading materials themselves and to read for enjoyment, which provides the greatest gains in reading achievement, including comprehension and vocabulary.
It’s now time to register for Live Oak Public Libraries' Summer Reading Program. From June 1 through July 31, children and youth are invited to enjoy great books and special events at all 16 community libraries. From blast-off parties to special performers to prizes for reading, the Summer Reading Program welcomes all. Live Oak Public Libraries also will host Kids Café, a nutrition program that partners with community-based organizations to offer free, healthy meals to children and youth when school is out in the summer.
For more information, visit the Live Oak Public Libraries website at liveoakpl.org.
Tom Sloan is the executive director of the Live Oak Public Libraries.