How to Encourage Kids to Read, Write and Dream

Author and teacher Leann Miller encourages every child she meets by letting them know she enjoys being with them and finds that alone brings a smile to their faces. “Children make me laugh; they aren’t afraid to be silly, dig in the mud or play in the rain. I love their innocence and joy in simple things. They make you forget your worries and problems when you are surrounded by them.”

Unfortunately, she knows children have their own set of worries, so Leann has written several books to help children deal with real life. “So many children grow up in homes with no encouragement, love or praise. I see it every day. All it takes is one person to show them love.” Her two published children’s books, Hooray for Hildy and When I Grow Up encourage kids to love themselves as they are and dream big possibilities for their futures.

What can parents do to encourage reading, writing and a love for learning? Leann says “The first 6 years are crucial in a child’s life. Research shows that the brain develops synopses which allow a child to learn more information and to make connections, at an astonishing rate in the first three years of life. By age six they should have twice as many synopses as an adult which is why adults begin to forget things. My point is that children are primarily in the home for the first 5 years of their life. Parents are key to a child’s success. It is evident the FIRST time I meet a child during Kindergarten Round-Up whether a parent has spent time with a child or not. A parents’ encouragement is vital to the confidence and determination they will need to expend efforts to learn.” Encouraging parents raise kids who want to learn and excel in and out of the classroom.

Leann believes the #1 thing parents can do to encourage learning is simple and inexpensive- reading books. Research shows learning words begins at birth and grows throughout a child’s life and children who have larger vocabularies are better readers. She says, “Trust me; you will see benefits by age 2!” She feels blessed by the example of her mother, who took 6 children to the library every week. “I also saw her read every day. My father would tell us stories and even today, I visualize those stories in my mind for my students. Never underestimate the power one has as a parent to influence and impact.”

Leann says most important is “talking with your child every day about what is going on around them, about how things work, feelings, ideas, morals and character. It doesn’t count when you are telling them to pick up their coat, do their homework or clean their room. I mean really talk. Eventually your child will open up about important things that are bothering them, but they need security and opportunity for that.”

“Read together every day. When you talk about the story and pictures, your child hears new words and can learn sequences in order. When you let her hold the book and turn the pages, she notices pictures and print on the pages.” Parents can read aloud signs, labels, lists, and menus, speak out loud printed words and point to them as they speak. Add more detail to whatever your child tells you, so that she notices and hears new concepts—such as, he says ‘big truck,’ you say, ‘yes that is a big red fire truck.’

Leann believes more learning takes place as you spend more time with your children. Recite nursery rhymes, sing songs, play with play dough; go to the park, the zoo and the library. “Teach your child to see the positives in life each day and be thankful for them. If you see that your child has an interest in something, encourage them. If they like music encourage them to learn to play an instrument and bring music into your home. If they like to draw, take them to art lessons or buy some paints and canvas. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you are noticing their strengths, talking to them how God has given us talents and encouraging them to use those talents.”

Leann loves to read, loves to teach reading and writing, and now writes books for others to read. She enjoys inspiring others, specifically young children, to work hard to follow their dreams. “I explain that I took many art classes, read articles on writing, publishing, never gave up and made it happen. My challenge is that they will be encouraged to work hard to accomplish their goals and never give up their dreams.”

Read more about how encouragement impacts children and adults at www.howtoencourage.com