Research shows that kids who are read to regularly do better in school and develop a love of reading as they get older.  This weekend our show is all about literacy and the importance of reading in our children’s lives. 

Maranda recently came across this reading quiz and passed it along to me.  I think it’s a great checklist to use when reading with your kids.  It’s helped me become a more active and engaged reader with Sophia and I hope it helps you too.

 Answer yes or no to the questions below and see if you’re making reading fun for your preschool aged child.

1.  Do you pick books that will appeal to your child?

2.  Do you read with enthusiasm?  Use different voices for characters and change your tones in exciting ways.

3.  Do you discuss what you read?  Ask questions, such as, “what do you think will happen next” or “what was your favorite part of the story?”

4.  Do you let your child interrupt?  It’s good to let kids ask questions and fill in words that they’ve memorized.

5.  Do you build on what you read?  Read favorite books repeatedly so your child gets the most out of them.  Do related activities too, such as visiting a train station after reading a book about trains.

How well are you doing?  Each yes answer means that you’re helping your child enjoy reading.  If you answered no to any, try taking that idea from the quiz and incoporating it into your reading.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanworkbench/2589425038/

Babies – Make reading enjoyable by cuddling on the couch or lying on a pile of pillows for storytime.  Opt for books that have pictures of faces, images or primary colors.

Toddlers – Choose picture books with a theme your child likes such as trucks or animals.  Don’t limit books to just bedtime, make it a part of your child’s entire day.

Preschoolers – Look for rhyming books to lay the groundwork for learning phonics.  As you read to your kids, discuss what’s going on with the story.  Consider reading a series so your child will grow attached to familiar characters.

School Age-Kids – Even as your kids learn the skill, continue to read with and to them.  Expose them to various genres and talk to your kids about what they read.

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/3537327425/

The goal is to close the achievement gap between the highest and lowest performing school districts in Kent County.  Recently published information shows that more than 30% of fourth graders in Grand Rapids Public Schools are reading below grade level.

Research shows that reading volunteers can make a difference.  That’s why United Way is asking 2,000 people to step up to the challenge and volunteer to help kids learn to read.  It only takes 30 minutes a week during the school year and you can transform a child’s life.  No prior training or experience is necessary.

High school age students through senior citizens are welcome to volunteer.  For more information on this initiative call 616-459-2255 or visit http://www.waybetterunitedway.org/program-soh.php.

Battle Creek Community Literacy Collaborative
269-660-5879
www.itstartswithreading.org

Kalamazoo Literacy Council
269-343-8666
www.kalamazooliteracycouncil.org

Literacy Center of West Michigan
616-459-5151

Project Literacy, Inc. – Muskegon
231-722-6474

Read Muskegon
231-766-5040
www.readmuskegon.org

The WORD Project – Grand Rapids
616-454-4874