About Early Readers . . .

INTRODUCTION: The goal of teaching a child to read is to help each one move from the reception level (mechanics of sounding out words) to the acceptance level (comprehending the ideas words express) to the application level. From a biblical perspective, the application level of reading involves understanding why an idea was given in the first place and how God means to build our lives through it. Because application is so important, we should prayerfully offer the type of reading materials that can make positive contributions toward building Christian maturity in our children.

Among all the many books we might motivate to read, the highest priority should be upon the Holy Scriptures:

". . . my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter [i.e., the purpose of life]: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil" (Eccl. 12:12-14).

The primary meaning of that passage is that we could wear ourselves out by reading works by man-even those about God's Word-and never come up with the same character-forming impact that results from reading and applying God's actual Holy Word.

In a Bible-based reading program, each student should be:

• Discipled to hunger to read the Word of God for himself: ". . . and he shall read therein all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them" (Deut. 17:19).
  
  The practice of teaching spiritual and moral truths through the medium of academics (such as is the case with Christ-Centered Phonics) was recommended by Charles H. Spurgeon, who has often been referred to as the great "preacher of preachers."
  
  As we sow we reap. Let us expect our children to know the Lord. Let us from the beginning mingle the name of Jesus with their A B C. Let them read their first lessons from the Bible. It is a remarkable thing that there is no book from which children learn to read so quickly as from the New Testament: there is a charm about that book which draws forth the infant mind.
    
• Trained to comprehend biblical vocabulary that will equip the child of God for every good work (2 Tim. 3:15-17).
    
• Able to develop comprehension of most reading materials so that the student can relate the written word to "Thus saith the Lord" (Psa. 119:9). (This is one aspect of developing a Christian world view.)
    
• Discipled to work unto the glory of God, developing proficiency in oral reading of all assignments. Reading practices should reflect accuracy, smoothness, and good voice inflection.

Once the Bible is established as the highest priority for daily reading, then we need to consider what other reading materials to add. We ought to do this by following the Philippians 4:8 criteria: "... whatsoever things are true, ... honest, ... just, ... pure, ... lovely, ... of good report; ... think [meditate] on these things."

God commands that we meditate on things defined in Philippians 4:8 because whatever a person thinks upon, he will become (Prov. 23:7). Since reading involves "thinking," we should make sure that we're providing the right "whatsoevers" to our children.

In light of Philippians 4:8, we should thus carefully avoid reading materials that fit the GIGO principle (Garbage In/Garbage Out). Offering garbage, such as highly fun-filled readers and other books that develop man-centered values, can subvert advancement toward Christian maturity. Minds not focused upon godly things quickly gravitate toward self-pleasure. In today's society, far too many are thus tragically growing up to be "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God" (2 Tim. 3:4). Remember: whichever appetite is fed the most grows the most.

Avoid too adult or dull uninteresting stories. Instead, give your children an appetite for reading through feeding them good literature, poetry, stories about godly heroes, adventure stories, character building stories, information on God's creation, and so forth. For God says: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Prov. 25:11). Proper words expressed in a proper manner can express a beautiful picture of the whole duty of man toward God. When evaluating any book, ask yourself: Does this book express beauty about God, His creation, His law, or His values? Will reading this contribute toward building godly character? We should select reading materials that can impact our children for good-starting in their most formative years.

Note: For a biblical analysis of reading, see Chapter Four of NEVER TOO EARLY --- God in Reading: The Foundation of Learning. NEVER TOO EARLY (item 100) can be found at the Online Catalog under Family Resources; it is also included in the Discounted Program Packages.

Christ-Centered Curriculum has four basic readers (items 306, 312, 318, and 340) plus our NEW Short Vowel Readers Set (306SV; available summer '05). When to begin the first reader, Creation: GOD MADE ME, is identified in Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 1-31. A child should then proceed through the recommended reading sequence below (first, then second column list) as rapidly as God-given capabilities allow.

RECOMMENDED READING SEQUENCE:

For a complete description of all the items above
Click here to access the Early Readers section of our online catalog.