Even after two decades of teaching, one of the most cherished times at school was DEAR time – Drop Everything And Read. When I started as an educator, I was mindful to schedule this activity right after lunch as part of the classroom routine. After settling down, students pulled out books they had brought from home or borrowed from the library, and they read. It gave the children a chance to collect themselves.
In the quietness of the classroom, with math, spelling, and science books tucked away, the children were given 20 minutes to read, just for the joy of it, a book they had chosen. Modeling this activity for the children, I disciplined myself to settle in a chair in front of my desk to read, too.
The administrators had implemented DEAR time as an initiative in the Chicago Public Schools to encourage students to take a break from the normal classroom activities and dedicate time to just enjoy reading.
Immersing children in reading helps develop a love for reading and encourages children to read for entertainment and the fun of the activity. It is a habit that can transition to a lifelong routine. Parents who schedule reading time at home help children grow into adulthood with a propensity for learning and reading
Of course, parents must be aware of the benefits of reading. Reading helps us develop our critical thinking skills, and it helps us grow and build our imaginations. We can travel through a book or discover a new interest or hobby by reading.
Reading offers parents and children a chance to explore a different culture, and it can become an avenue for strengthening the parent-child bond.
DEAR time can spill over from the confines of the classrooms into our kitchens, family rooms, and living rooms.
By scheduling DEAR time into family activities, parents can give children the message that reading is not a chore, but a meaningful and important opportunity. Reading pays off in an array of ways now and well into the future. What are you doing to mold your child into a lifelong reader?
Lucille is the author of several children’s books, including The Pond, the Tree, and the Fish.
