Week 2.3: Characteristics of a beginner reader

All your comments in Facebook sum up perfectly the characteristics of a beginner reader. It is important to know your target audience when you write stories. I am thinking back to when I taught Foundation Phase learners, trying to remember what I found so intriguing and fascinating about that age. Here are a few thoughts…

I clearly remember how children at this age are very honest and they have a great sense of humour. They will laugh if you trip and fall for example as they haven't mastered social etiquette yet. They love humour and love to laugh. They are very curious about the world, very enthusiastic and very imaginative. It is important to put them in touch with feelings, smells, sounds, tastes, feelings and sight. They love something slightly scary if they can experience it from a standpoint of safety. They love unusual creatures and unusual situations. They love to discover and explore. They are full of ideas and they love stories. They love twists in stories. I seem to remember that they have a great sense of justice - what is right and what is wrong. They love stories!
I remember so clearly how when the Grade 1s had learned to read they LOVED reading.