Summer Learning: Building Background Knowledge

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” ~Fred Rogers

I have often heard educators and parents of young children echo the same sentiments as Mr. Rogers. As an Reading Specialist I also buy completely into the idea that children’s experiences outside of academics support them as readers. When children are exposed to a wide variety of experiences their understanding of the world around them expands. As their understanding of the world expands, their vocabulary also expands. In education, this understanding of the world and the vocabulary that is tied to it is known as “schema.” A child's schema forms a framework in the brain that allows children to make connections between known concepts and new concepts. These connections are important, because they tie all of a child’s experiences at home, at school and in the wider world together. This allows children to take information they gather observing an elephant at a zoo and connect it to the article their teacher reads aloud about an elephant rescue organization. These connections also support children as they read. When a child has actually seen an elephant, then they read about one, they are better able to identify and remember associated words, as well as better understand what they are reading. When you are experiencing and discussing life with your children this summer, on top of building relationships with them, remember that you are supporting their overall learning and growth as a reader.