TIPS FOR RAISING A READER

“Children are made readers in the laps of their parents” — Emilie Buchwald, award-winning children’s author

As a new school year begins, parents often wonder how to support their children to become better readers. There are many reasons to read. Reading provides entertainment and escapism, knowledge about the world around us, and even helps to improve language and literacy skills. Raising a good reader is about family engagement. Caring adults set children up for success by creating shared reading routines and fostering learning and social and emotional well-being, which helps children thrive inside and outside of school. Research has shown that family involvement is the number one predictor of early literacy success and academic achievement (R. Becher, “Parent Involvement and Reading Achievement: A Review of Research and Implications for Practice”).

Here are some tips to help encourage reading in children:

• Read to your child every day. A 2019 research study out of Ohio State University found that young children whose parents read a book to them every day heard about 290,000 more words by age 5 than those who didn’t regularly read with a parent or caregiver. Parents who read five books a day have a child who enters kindergarten with 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. Reading also is a way to bond with your child in a consistent focused manner without distractions or demands. Reading at the same time — as part of a bedtime routine  — can make it easier to build the habit of reading, but anytime a child is hearing language and connecting with you makes a difference.

• Provide reading options. Bring home books on a variety of topics. Reading about topics that your child enjoys is a good idea, as they can follow their own interests and internalize that reading is fun. Reading books with relatable themes can become a bridge to meaningful conversations with your child about something that may be happening in their lives. And for young children who want to read the same book over and over? Research shows that repetition is how they master language.

• Let your child see you read. Little eyes are always watching and noticing what occupies the hands and minds of their parents or caregivers — is it a cell phone or is it a book? If your child sees that you enjoy reading, they will be drawn to this activity as well. Talk about stories or a book that you love. Sit together for individual reading moments and share what you have learned.