SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR CREATING STRONG READERS
by Linda Garlinghouse
Elementary Students:
Without doubt,
reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a
few
simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in
helping children
develop into good readers and writers. Through reading aloud,
providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about
reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on your child's
literacy and learning.
• Invite your child to read with you every
day.
• When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word
as you read. This
will help your child learn that reading goes from left to right and
understand that the
word said is the word seen.
• Read your child's favorite book over and over.
• Read many stories with rhyming words and repeated lines. Invite
your child to join in
on these parts. Point, word by word, as your child reads along with
you.
• Discuss new words. For example, "This big house is called a
palace. Who do you
think lives in a palace?"
• Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in
the story.
• Read from a variety of
children's books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and
information books.
• From Reading Tips for Parents, U.S. Department of Education.
Available online at
http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/readingtips/index.html or
call 1-800-USALEARN.
Middle
and High School Students:
You know that reading is important, and you
obviously want to make sure that your
teenager grows into adulthood with all the skills he or she needs
to succeed. The
following is a list of ways that to encourage your teens to
read:
1. Set an example. Let your kids see you reading for pleasure.
2. Furnish your home with a variety of reading materials. Leave
books, magazines,
and newspapers around. Check to see what disappears for a clue to
what interests
your teenager.
3. Give teens an opportunity to choose their own books. When you
and your teen are
out together, browse in a bookstore or library. Go your separate
ways and make your
own selections. A bookstore gift certificate is a nice way of
saying, "You choose".
4. Build on your teen's interests. Look for books and articles that
feature their favorite
sports teams, rock stars, hobbies, or TV shows. Give a gift
subscription to a special
interest magazine.
