Reading and Writing

The growth of the mind can be traced by observing the uses of language, from a child’s first words in infancy to the complete self-expression of his or her maturity.  Language is the key to understanding concepts.  By listening to their parents’ speech and observing their surroundings, children begin building the foundation for all of their future communications.  As youngsters grow, and become more curious, they want to label what they see: mama, dada, ball.  With the start of speech and the acquisition of language, the foundation they have been building continues to grow and develop. 

As in all areas of The Studio School’s curriculum, reading and writing are viewed as a natural part of learning, and essential to our ability to communicate.  Our reading program is designed to strengthen and expand a child’s earliest learning experiences.  In their daily curriculum, students at Studio discover the learning tools necessary to build vocabulary and successfully communicate their thoughts and feelings to others. Listening to stories, telling stories, learning the alphabet, writing one’s name, labeling familiar objects, drawing, and writing are all part of the development of the process of reading.

There is a certain linear progression involved in learning how to read.  Some skills are necessary before others can follow.  It is at the heart of our curriculum to provide instruction when a child has indicated to us that he or she is ready.  As all children do not learn to walk or talk at the same time, they do not all learn to read at any magic age. 

Writing, by its very nature, is a mutual and necessary component in the process of learning how to read.  There is a special connection between reading and writing that begins naturally and is maintained and nurtured in each child. Reading and writing are invariably linked together, and as our students grow and develop in their mastery of these areas, we prepare them to communicate effectively and gain information and pleasure through the written word.

Writing is taught as a process.  Students move from pre-writing techniques to their first drafts, and then to revision, editing, proofreading, and publication.  Vocabulary, spelling, and grammar therefore become important parts of the overall process, which children are eager to master.

Acquiring the skill of being a perceptive and insightful writer, together with being an avid reader, strengthens each individual’s ability to be a creative and independent thinker.