EARLY READING: THE INDISPUTABLE FOUNDATION OF THE 21ST CENTURY CHILD
Nandi Salome Samuila, and Dutse Ishaya Abari
College of Education, Gindiri, Plateau State,
Girls’ High School, PMB 01001, Gindiri, Plateau State
Email: ishayanandi@gmail.com, isaiahstone@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
This paper seeks to expose the inevitability of early reading using the Vygotskian theory of learning and development which states that knowledge is socially constructed. It begins by explaining the concept of language development and it briefly discusses the four basic language skills namely: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Furthermore, the benefits of reading are highlighted as reading comprehension, writing, neurological, educational, psychological, social and linguistic. The paper goes further to expound the various levels at which children can be taught to learn to read early in life. Finally, it suggests the need for children to be exposed to reading early in life which cannot be over emphasized, especially in the 21st century. The paper further recommends among others, that classroom activities should include informal opportunities that would expose the child to literacy growth and to a variety of skills.
Keywords: Early Reading, Language Skills, Language Development, Literacy, Benefits.