As a father of six, I understand the importance of promoting reading at a young age. Studies have shown that children can gain important language skills just by listening to stories read to them by their parents. I have always enjoyed reading with my children and helping them develop the reading skills necessary to succeed in the future.
Literacy is an essential element of any child’s education and development. Unfortunately, the National Assessment of Educational Progress has determined that nearly 35% of Kentucky’s fourth graders fall below basic reading levels. Without reading skills, achieving success in school in every subject can be extremely difficult and discouraging for children.
It is never too early to begin reading to your children. By encouraging reading at an early age, parents can improve their child’s social and cognitive abilities and help advance his or her language proficiency. Even newborns can benefit from listening to a book being read aloud because it exposes them to the sounds of speech and language. Helping children to understand language will promote brain development and build a strong foundation for literacy.
According to the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL), children who become proficient at reading in the early grades are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond. Additionally, NIFL studies confirm that children who were read to at least three times a week before they began kindergarten were more likely to become proficient readers at a younger age.
The NIFL recommends that parents incorporate reading into the every day routine with their children. Rhyming poems, songs and word games can be an effective way to help your child practice the sounds of language while learning new words. Encouraging a child to re-read familiar books will gradually build his or her confidence, while gently correcting reading mistakes or misunderstandings will improve his or her reading accuracy. By taking time to ask questions and discuss with a child while he or she is reading, parents can enhance reading comprehension. You can learn more about early childhood literacy and find tips for improving reading skills by visiting http://www.nifl.gov.
Parents should monitor their child’s reading progress in school and forge close relationships with their child’s teacher. Teachers can also suggest ways parents can help a child build his or her reading skills at home. Encouraging the development of reading skills both in the classroom and at home is vital to cultivating a generation of lifelong readers.
Over the past few years, I have become involved with two great literacy programs: the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America program and the Reading is Fundamental program. Both programs motivate children to read by providing books and resources and hosting reading events for families. The Reading is Fundamental website (http://www.rif.org/parents/) provides activity ideas geared toward specific age groups that may help children enjoy reading. On the NEA’s website, (https://www.nea.org/readacross/index.html) parents can find lists of recommended children’s books.
Literacy provides the foundation for a successful academic career and a bright future. As your Congressman, I will continue to support early childhood reading initiatives and programs so that more children have the opportunity to appreciate the joys of reading.