The Power of Reading to a Child

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Interim President Karrin Wilks read the children’s book Dragons Love Tacos to a captive audience of two-to-five-year-olds during a visit to BMCC’s Early Childhood Center April 10.

More than 30 youngsters sat on the floor in a semi-circle around the interim president as she read the book that was written by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri.

The story is about a boy who loves dragons.  He figures out that if he wants to make friends with dragons, tacos are the key, because as it turns out, dragons love tacos: “They love beef tacos and chicken tacos. They love really big gigantic tacos and tiny little baby tacos as well,” according to the story.

“Have you ever seen a dragon?” asked Wilks, to which several of the children in the circle assured the president that they had.

“It’s really important to read to children from their earliest moments,” said Wilks.

She says reading to a small child helps develop vocabulary and the love and habit of reading. Not only that, it’s comforting because usually, the child is being held or is sitting next to the reader as they both share the experience of the book.

“It’s very interactive, so if you are asking questions of the child, it also helps develop their conversation skills,” she says.

Books that feature only illustrations and images are also healthy for children since they encourage a creative interactive experience, where the power of the imagination and storytelling comes into play.

Wilks also finds the experience of reading to the children at the Early Childhood Center energizing.

“You see the future of our world right before your eyes,” she said.

The important role of childcare on campus

Open seven days per week, the BMCC Early Childhood Center currently serves 120 families.

“Student parents face a lot of challenges as they negotiate their studies and the needs of their children.  At the BMCC Early Childhood Center we have created a sense of community by creating ongoing partnerships around campus to support our families,” said BMCC Early Childhood Center Executive Director Cecilia Scott-Croff.,

She said having the interim President take time out of her schedule to read to the children affirms a “Culture of Care” at BMCC.

Research from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) shows that more than a quarter of all undergraduate college students nationwide are raising children, and about 44 percent are doing so without the support of a partner.

IWPR also says that by making community colleges more welcoming to student parents and helping them access resources that support their educational goals, colleges can increase their attainment rates and contribute to improving economic outcomes for families and communities.

Scott-Croft says the Early Childhood Center, through its many programs, is promoting family literacy and social, emotional as well as cognitive development.

“Our premier programs provide the glue that keeps our families here,” said Scott-Croff.