Saint Augustine of Hippo once said: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Isn’t it wonderful that during times of travel restrictions, children can appreciate traveling together to wonderful places in their imaginations? Two of our students at Apple Hill Academy childcare center recently enjoyed a reading trip together as they practiced reading out loud. We hope they will become “well-read” adults and remain friends for a long time.
The idiom that describes one as being “well-read” is attributed to Shakespeare in his work “Henry IV.” Generally, a highly educated person with many scholarly qualifications would be described as “well read.” However, even those who have not availed themselves to formal education can read enough books in numerous genres about multiple time periods, to know a lot about many subjects. Such a person would also be described as “well-read” because they have learned from multiple books. Webster’s dictionary defines a well-read person as “knowledgeable and informed as a result of extensive reading.”
We have found that if children read extensively when they are young, they will improve in language and literacy skills. Children may become passionate and lifelong readers if encouraged to experience the joy of reading at a young age. When they read out loud to one another, it also helps build a friendship bond that we hope will extend many years past daycare and into adulthood.
