Can Babies Read?

06/16/2014

The net of the sleeper catches fish.
Greek Proverb

In her article, "Can Babies Read and Write?" in the Beginnings Workshop curriculum unit, Young Children and Writing, Deb Curtis draws this conclusion:

"Adults have all the power in children’s lives. We are their window and access to safety, comfort, and engaging experiences. Children are smart enough to know this from the time they are babies. They have laser-like attention to what we care about and they want to imitate, please, and be a part of what we say and do. If you look at cultures around the world, children learn to do what adults value and believe children can accomplish because this is what they focus on and take time to teach children to do.

"But with this power comes responsibility. Young children can learn about literacy if that is what we care about and focus on with eager attention in a playful, loving relationship. But we should ask ourselves: What are we and they missing when we spend so much of our time focused on literacy skills? What about the scientific discoveries and magic in a puddle of water; the complex, creative work of pretend play; the deep, spiritual connections from time together in the natural world; or the adventure and sense of accomplishment in toddling up a hill? Babies can read and write, but should they?"

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