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Library staff shares reading tips |
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Friday, 23 May 2008 |
By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — A survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education on national adult literacy rates, states that children who haven't developed some basic literacy skills by the time they enter school are three to four times more likely to drop out of school in later years — a fact local library officials say is preventable.
The problem of children being unprepared for school spurred action from state legislators, librarians and educators, who have joined forces to address the issue. The Every Child Ready to Read program was created to help prepare children to know more about reading and writing before they can actually read and write.
The process begins at home and starts at the most basic levels, simply having reading material in the home. Parents also set examples by being active readers themselves.
St. Marys Community Public Library Director Sue Pittman and Youth Services Director Paula Drummond said there are several tips parents can follow to help foster a love of reading in their children.
Learning to read begins at birth, Pittman said. Reading helps develop longer attention spans and listening skills, as well as a lifelong love of reading.
Pittman and Drummond recommended parents read to children at least 15 minutes a day, which helps introduce children to hundreds of thousands of words a year.
“Encourage them to read by reading to them,” Pittman said.
The librarians also provided some tips for when a child moves to reading alone. The librarians suggested letting a child share the reading activity by reading a sentence or paragraph, then let the child read a sentence or paragraph.
Chooing books in a variety of genres could help to expand a child's interest in reading. Another tip Pittman and Drummons shared was for parents to encourage children to read to any younger siblings.
“We had a grandparent in the other day looking for books about trucks because that's what her grandchild is into,” Pittman said. “Make the experience special.”
There also are other opportunities parents can engage their child in literary activities.
“While you cook supper, hand your kid a joke book and say find me some jokes to share,” Drummond said.
The librarians also said creating a special place for a child to curl up and read is also a good idea. They said Ikea sells an egg shaped chair that children may find a fun and quiet place to curl up in with a good book. Another place children may like is under a favorite tree.
“You can cerate a place for your child,” Drummond said.
Reading with a child helps to develop bonds between parent and child, Drummond said.
“Every time you read to your child you are actually communicating with your child," Drummond said. "It's makes reading a bonding, not a chore. You are never alone if you have a book. You can escape. You can leave behind the world. Books can be your best friend."
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 May 2008 )
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