IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT ALL PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HELPING YOUR CHILDREN BECOME LIFELONG
READERS:
• To learn to read, you need to read
• Reading is a skill that requires practice. Just as a child learns to swim by
swimming, and to play the piano by playing the piano, children need to read in order to get
better as readers
• Time matters- the amount of time spent reading is incredibly important
• To maintain one year of growth in reading , children need to read two hours a day
between home and school
• Children need to have books they can read with 95% accuracy 95% of the time
• Books are not "one size fits all"; kids need "just right books"
• Children need to have frequent opportunities to talk about their reading and their
thinking as they are reading
• By teaching children to talk well about books, we teach them to think as they read
• Children need to have a bonded relationship with someone that's a passionate reader
• Children need daily opportunities to hear wonderful literature read aloud and frequent
opportunities to participate in book talks around the read-aloud text
• Children can be taught the skills and strategies that thoughtful readers use
• The goal of reading instruction is to create lifelong readers
• Reading is thinking guided by print
(Information gathered from The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project-Columbia University)


CREATING THE READING ROUTINE AT HOME FOR ALL AGES:

1. SUBSCRIBE TO READING: Remind your children that entertaining writing can be found in
magazines as well as books. If your children are not enthusiastic about reading, but are
passionate about skateboarding or animals, hand them an issue of a special interest magazine on
these topics. If they like it, consider subscribing.

2. BOOKS BY CHOICE: Have a special place where your children can keep their own books. Books
that have been checked out of the library, received as gifts, or were bought at a bookstore
deserve a special shelf or bin of their own.

3. WHEN TIME IS DEAR: Drop everything and read!!!! Turn off the television or music, turn on
the answering machine, and have everyone in the family spend some time reading. This is a
great way to model reading and it promotes the importance of literacy in your family.

4. FAMILY FIELD TRIPS: Find out what your children are learning about this year and follow up
with some family field trips. If they are learning about animal habitats, take them to the
zoo. If they are studying the Civil War, visit a local battlefield. Any family outing can add
to the experience and knowledge your children can bring to reading.

5. TABLE TALK: For many families, the only time everyone is together is at the dinner table.
So make the most of it. If busy schedules prevent you from eating together, make another
special time to talk. Talk about what they are reading in and out of school. This sends the
message that you think reading is an important part of their day. It also gives your children
a chance to use their thinking skills as they reflect aloud on what they are reading.

6. DON'T STOP READING ALOUD: Learning to read can be hard. When your children are home, give
them a break. Offer to read aloud to them so they can sit back and enjoy it. Even after your
children have learned to read, continue to read aloud books that are still hard for them to
read by themselves. This will build their listening, vocabulary, challenge their thinking
skills, and encourage them to step up to the next level.