Every Day Begins with a Book

A mom of one of my former students recently sent me a video of her child on a nature walk explaining to her what a "nurse tree" was. We had learned about this concept over a year ago while reading Where Would I Be in an Evergreen Tree? by Jennifer Blomgren. That small moment was an encouraging reminder that what children hear in stories often takes root and grows far beyond the pages of a book or the walls of a classroom.

Every morning in our classroom begins the same way: with a book. As students trickle through the door, backpacks are hung up, and little voices fill the room. Soon, however, those voices quiet as I begin to read. Before we begin math, spelling, or science, we begin with a story.

Reading aloud is far more than a pleasant way to start the day. Long before children can read independently, they are building the foundation for literacy through listening. They hear rich vocabulary, learn how language works, and develop a love for books. Research consistently shows that children who are regularly read to develop stronger language skills and larger vocabularies, both of which contribute to later reading success.

One of the greatest joys of teaching young children is watching them realize that they can read. At first, the sounds seem disconnected and difficult, but suddenly something clicks. They begin blending sounds together on their own and discover that the letters on the page form real words. Seeing the excitement and confidence on a child's face when they successfully read independently is one of my favourite parts of being a teacher.

Through books, children gain knowledge about the world around them while also learning to see God's hand in creation. As we read about weaver ants in Slow Down by Rachel Williams, we marveled at the intricate ways these tiny creatures work together, and we paused to praise God for His creativity and omniscience. While reading Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, we reflected on the uniqueness of snowflakes and the incredible detail God places into even the smallest parts of creation.

Great books allow students to recognize virtue and consider the consequences of choices. When we read Ox-Cart Man by Barbara Cooney, we discussed the virtues of diligence and contentment as we watched the family faithfully work throughout the seasons with gratitude for what they had. On another occasion, students quickly connected the greed in The Magic Fish by Freya Littledale to our study of the Tenth Commandment: "Thou shalt not covet." It was a beautiful reminder that stories help children understand truth in memorable and meaningful ways.

In a Classical Christian classroom, we teach children to read not only so they can grow academically, but so they can encounter truth, goodness, and beauty for themselves. Most importantly, we teach children to read so that one day they can confidently open God's Word and read it independently.

Tomorrow morning, as we do every morning, we will gather and open a book. It may seem like a simple routine, but within those pages are opportunities for learning, wonder, and excitement. Every day begins with a book, and that is exactly where some of the most important learning begins.