Develop Reading Habits to Last a Lifetime

Adams 14 schools provide a balanced education for students. We offer music, art, science, math, reading, history, athletics and many other programs for our students. But we know that the basis of all learning is the ability to read and understand words on the page. 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. Here are some tips for creating strong readers in your family:
Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on your children’s literacy and learning.

• Invite your children 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 children learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word they say is the word they see.
• Read your children’s favorite books over and over again.
• Read many stories with rhyming words and lines that repeat. Invite your children to join in on these parts. Point, word by word, as they read 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.

Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Children who can’t read well don’t learn well. Help make a difference for your children.
Reading aloud is not just for young students. Think of it this way - reading aloud is a way to promote good reading habits with any age group. Does McDonald’s stop advertising because everyone knows about their restaurant? No, think of reading aloud as a chance to display both the entertainment and educational values of reading.