Opinion: In my view - Where reading begins
Thursday, June 26, 2008
It's time to celebrate the role of home care in language development, says Liz Bayram.
Nothing a child learns is more important than understanding how to use language. As well as plenty of conversation, nothing helps children's language more than enjoying book reading with adults. That is why this week, registered childminders and nannies will be celebrating the role they play in supporting children's literacy and language during National Childminding Week.
Childminders and nannies are uniquely placed to support children's language for a number of reasons. There is a greater degree than in group care of one-to-one interaction between childminder and child; this is also true of nannies, who usually care for two or three children at most. This is particularly important in language development, as the child is able to see every detail of the pictures and words, to control the timing of the page being turned and to echo what is being read.
Home settings also enable children to enrich their language through the many opportunities on offer in the local community. Childminders and nannies can access the local library at times that best suit the needs of the individual child, either for organised sessions or just to drop in. They are out in the community day-to-day, taking advantage of the opportunities to read - be that information at the bus or train station or the local community notice - all contributing to children's language development and their understanding of the world around them.
In the National Year of Reading, childminders and nannies are celebrating these and the other important learning and development opportunities they provide for children, by holding events to promote their work to parents, other practitioners and local authorities. The NCMA also recognises there remains a need to continue to strengthen greater understanding of what childminders and nannies do, so that their contribution to children's development is maintained for future generations of children and families.
- Liz Bayram is chief executive of the National Childminding Association.
