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Raising a Life Long Reader

Why is Reading So Important?
"At every stage of life, books and reading nourish growing minds and stimulate active involvement in society."  - Library of Congress

Research experts predict that in the new millennium, math and reading illiteracy may impede three-quarters of American adults' chances to obtain any but the lowest paying jobs.

"If every child were read to daily, from infancy, it would revolutionize education in this country."  - U.S. Education Secretary Richard W. Riley

The future of our world depends on the education of our children.
 
 
Read Aloud
Read aloud to children of all ages from birth through high school.  This is the most important thing to help children learn to read and enjoy reading.  Before the time of the radio and television, reading aloud was a favorite pastime for families.  Recent attention is being brought to issue that boys need to see adult males enjoying reading, too.
 
 
Let Children See You Read
This shows you value reading and enjoy it.  "A busy schedule is the enemy of reading . . . we arrange time for what we think is truly important."  (Hunt, page 24)
 
 
Fill Your Home with Reading Material
This includes books, magazines and newspapers.  Give books and magazine subscriptions for gifts and ask for them, as well.  Be sure your children have books of their own.

1998 Reading Report Card found that students with higher reading scores were more likely to report four types of reading materials in their homes - encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers and at least 25 books!  - The National Assessment of Educational Programs
 
 
Frequent the Library and Bookstore
Take your children to these places often.  Encourage them to browse through the books and make selections.
 
 
Limit Television Viewing Time
 
 
Designate a Regular Reading Time
A story before bedtime is always soothing and leads into some beautiful dreams.
 
 
Choose Good Books
Good books are those that are written well enough that the subject becomes "alive" and "real" to the reader.  It enlivens your spirit and brings a breath of life to your daily experience.

Illustrations are very important to young children since they begin to "read" the story first through the pictures.  Make sure the illustrations are accurate to what the wording is saying.

Recognize the theme (idea the author is communicating), plot (the design to answer the "why" of the theme), characterization (relatable, understandable or memorable people) and word choices (appropriate for reading levels and grabbing attention).

Realize that non-fiction books are very important, too.  A sign over the entrance to the Smithsonian Institute reads, "Knowledge begins in wonder."  Choose the non-fiction titles that have clear, interesting illustrations; current, accurate, and well-organized information; and an enthusiastic presentation.

Obtain recommendations for good books through teachers, librarians, other parents, your children, and booksellers.  Seek well-known authors and illustrators.  Keep your eye open for award winning titles.

Appropriate books for certain age levels are suggested guidelines and may or may not fit your child.  Feel free to go outside them if you feel that the book would be appreciated.
 
 
From the Mouth of Babes
Language acquisition begins with talking and reading to our babies and toddlers. 

You can feel free to personalize the books to your child's skill level.  Use your own words to represent what the text says to draw interest or relate to your child. 

Don't stay on one page too long.  Four seconds is plenty for a new listener.  It is not necessary to go through each page of an entire book.  Go with the flow of the interest of the child.

Illustrations can introduce new objects to a child.  They will learn to identify pictures and words for the future.

Suggestions:  "easy to read", bright, simple picture books, simple texts, good rhythms, wordless books, board books, cloth books, touchy-feely books, pictures on every page
 
 
Preschoolers
Read aloud daily!  You can gradually increase Reading Time to at least 15 minutes a day.  Introduce the author and illustrator's names.  Let your child "read" a familiar book to you while you cuddle.

Repeat favorite books over and over.  Repetitive phrases encouraging memory and early reading skills.  Find books containing familiar objects and experiences to relate to the child's life.

Match the reading material to your child's level of interest and understanding.  You can include classics and good literature suited to them.

Suggestions:  books depicting familiar objects and experiences, rhythmic text and word repetition
 
 
Elementary Age Children
Encourage beginning readers to read aloud.  Practice is necessary.  Avoid too-frequent corrections.

Share Reading Time.  This can be the family each reading their own book or sharing reading stories to each other.

Reading only one chapter a day may spur the developing reader to grab the book out of your hands and continue reading on their own!

Be patient if your child is a late bloomer.  Developmental skills are all achieved individually at different times.

Suggestions for reading aloud:  strong storylines, books with character development, informative books, books that are more advanced than those the child can read independently.

Suggestions for beginning readers:  straightforward storylines, familiar simple vocabulary, scattered illustrations, larger type, short chapters

Suggestions for independent readers:  series books, mysteries, how-to books
 
 
Older Children/Teens
Encourage a variety of reading materials to include "the classics", magazines, newspapers, books on personal interests, etc.

Stay involved with your child's reading habits by continuing to read aloud, scheduling a Reading Time, and asking about current independent reading.

Suggestions:  books that appeal to the child's specific interests, biographies, more non-fiction
 
 
 

Footnote:

Much of this information was collected by Lisa Wagner, an Independent Educational Consultant with Usborne Books At Home.  Her sources include:  "Dear Teacher" newspaper column by Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts.

Bibliography:

Becoming a Nation of Readers:  The Report of the Commission on Reading.  The National Institute of Education, U.S. Dept. of Education, 1985.

Choosing Books for Children:  A Commonsense Guide by Betsy Hearne, Delacorte Press, 1990.

Honey for a Child's Heart:  The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life by Gladys Hunt, Zondervan, 1989.

How to Stock a Home Library Inexpensively by Jane A. Williams, Bluestocking Press, 1995.

The New Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, Penguin, 1995.
 
 
UBAH Mission Statement
"The future of our world depends on the education of our children.  Usborne Books At Home delivers educational excellence one book at a time.  We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values.  We touch the lives of children for a lifetime."