It’s absolutely the coolest part of being a first grade teacher. One day, without much warning a child will suddenly “get it.” Reading a book goes from laborious phonetic stuttering to an eloquent and coherent sentence. As a teacher, it’s rewarding. Honestly, it’s the one thing that kept me coming back to first grade.
But as a parent, it’s far beyond rewarding. After what seems like decades of struggling, the words just flow and it’s time for a celebration. It’s funny though. Instead of running down to the ice cream store, it’s often that parents run to the bookstore. And what do they purchase? Chapter books.
The minute that sweet child start to show some fluency, we assume that picture books are taboo and it’s time to move on. But nothing could be more harmful to the process of developing a confident and fluent reader.
Why chapter books may be harmful rather than helpful
1. Reading chapter books too early sacrifices fluency.
For an early reader, picture books build fluency, which is crucial for becoming a life-long reader. We shouldn’t feel tempted to keep “stepping it up a notch.” Reading specialists recommend that 1/3 of all reading should be lower than your child’s actual reading level. Incredible huh?
We are so quick to call a book too easy or “babyish” when in fact that EASY book is exactly what a child needs to build the fluency required to truly comprehend higher level reading.
2. Reading chapter books too early sacrifices quality.
Many lower level chapter books sacrifice quality in effort to market to younger readers. Classic chapter books such as Charlotte’s Webb or Where the Red Fern Grows are not written for first graders. Instead of waiting until they are older, companies have created thousands of low-quality books are fast as possible so that parents will buy them. They haven’t taken the time to write an excellent story full of beauty. They just want to write something that we will buy.
Friends, don’t forget that our world is all about marketing. Just because they sell chapter books on a first grade reading level does NOT make it a great purchase.
3. Reading chapter books too early sacrifices great books.
There are probably a million high quality, beautiful picture books that are worth reading. Moving to chapter books will abandon this resource too soon! If we do, our children will miss the opportunity to experience so much great literature.
Don’t be fooled. Picture books are not for “babies.” There are many picture books out there that are filled with incredible storytelling, literary elements, and complex plots. Enjoy them while you can!
4. Reading chapter books too early sacrifices content.
This is the most important point that I want to make here. The content of chapter books gets very mature very quickly. If your child starts reading chapter books too early, you will find her needing to read material targeted at teens by the time she’s in the 3rd grade. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want that.
I know it can be tempting. Honestly, it’s exciting to watch out little ones carting around thick novels, but I promise, it’s not best. Just like those older wiser women always remind us, “Enjoy every moment, because they grow up so fast.” Reading is no different. Don’t encourage your child to grow up too fast. Take off your flip flops and jump ont the back porch swing with a pile high of great picture books. Your child will love it!
A few of my personal favorites to get you started:
Lauren says
The best way for a 1st grader to enjoy Charlotte’s Web is sitting on mom’s (or dad’s) lap! 🙂
Steph O says
Thank you!!!!! I have a houseful of ‘early readers’. My 1st born read The Secret Garden (illustrated classic) when she was 5 (got it for her birthday) and hasn’t stopped reading since. Now she’s 10, and this summer, has already read The Hobbit and Little Women. It is very hard to find chapter books that are appropriate. Always has been. Nowadays, the books targeted at teens is alarming…and my 10 yr old thinks so too) But we started homeschooling last year and have been introduced to so many lovely classics! The point: She actually still LOVES picture books…as do her younger sisters ( who were also very early readers…but dont have quite the book passion as first-born). This has opened some wonderful new doors to help me do what I’ve always wanted: Keep them little. 🙂
Caterina says
Wonderful post! Just what I needed!
Thanks so much,
Caterina
Ashley says
I can’t imagine trying to get a first grader to read Charlotte’s Web independently! I read chapter books aloud to my kids (like Charlotte’s Web), but we read 5x the number of picture books as chapter books. And I would never expect a little one to read anything but picture books on their own!
Taryn says
Great post! I am planning our 1st & 2nd grade language arts homeschool curriculum around picture books.
Cristy S. says
There are also many, many picture books that are written at higher reading levels than we would think! Using a website like http://www.arbookfind.com can help ….
Rebekah says
My first grader, well, almost second, loves chapter books. She reads all the time and reads her favorites repeatedly. I won’t let her read just anything but she’s read Charlotte’s Web, and loves Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Phantom Tollbooth. I’ve been reading these books myself over the last or so and as she got stronger in kindergarten and saw me reading a lot, she wanted to as well. It was her own progression, not something I forced. I have often talked about reading them aloud together but she doesn’t want to. She does like to be read to but such things as Shel Silverstein and Big Truths for Little Kids (a catechism book).
Dawn says
I just want to say that I felt the same way. Until, I read Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me …. She is also a Christian and a professor. I very much liked what she had to say about literature. I also disagree with the thought that you will give up as much as you have said. There is A LOT to be said for chapter books. Also, I raised four children who are now adults and now have three little ones. You can NOT protect them from everything. Forbidding exposure leads to curious children. I learned that the hard way.
Samantha says
Great post! But you didn’t really address the first question. IMO, it depends on the child. Two of my sisters and I loved to read chapter books (Narnia, Boxcar Children) at young ages (grades 1-2). I was done with picture books by first grade. At 6, another one of my sisters enjoyed reading both mini chapter books AND picture books. I wouldn’t really rush the chapter book thing. When he/she is ready, you’ll know.
Samantha says
Oh yes, the one thing I would keep parents aware of: I wouldn’t recommend letting a 3rd grader read a YA novel. For younger readers wanting chapter books, I think you should be safe reading the Newbery books. I’ve read a lot of them and haven’t came across any major issues. Contemporary children’s novels, anything romance, scifi, fantasy, and YA many times are full of today’s society.
Mellissa says
I think as in all things we can swing too far, so I wouldn’t actually try to keep an early reader from chapter books, especially if they are clearly displaying comprehension. I do appreciate this post though, I always wondered at his desire to read way below his level, despite my own affinity for picture books, and am comforted to know that as always he was intuitively filling his own needs. Another idea I’ll put forward is to read the novels together. My son could easily read Narnia on his own but I read it to him because of the opportunity to discuss our reactions and interpretations together.
Michelle says
Was wondering why my advanced 2nd grader hates chapter books. Turns out he’s just wiser than his momma. Your post makes so much sense of it all now. You know, I even think this afternoon, he was trying to convey to me the low quality of his chapter book (that i forced him to read). I now suspect that it’s one of those books you mentioned that has been written as a chapter book just to appeal to ambitious parents. My eyes have been opened. Thank you.