How Are They Going to Get Good at Reading?
Why don’t we see discussions of avid reading in news coverage alongside discussions of reading test scores? And how might one measure a child’s excitement about reading?
It’s Never Too Late to Learn to Read
Supporting a new reader is one of life’s greatest opportunities for personal or professional success. Before you know it, new readers will be finding their own books and joyfully reading them.
What to Do With Kids Who Can Read, But Don’t
Getting children who can read, but don’t, to become children who can read and do is challenging, but not impossible.
Help New Readers Enjoy Good Books
The key to growing avid readers is to provide new readers with ready access to abundant, relevant, potentially enjoyable books, and then offering encouragement, conversation about the book, and guidance about next steps.
Self-Selected Reading is Its Own Reward
Literacy instruction changes have been cued by National Assessment for Educational Progress test results, however, that doesn’t seem to have improved subsequent test scores or enhanced children's engagements with books. Perhaps we can apply what we know about the habits of avid and capable readers to grow avid readers.
Not Just Letters
Teaching children to read and write with purposeful connection requires that they come to appreciate the fundamental concept of communication: that reading and writing are all about making and sharing meanings.
Children Are Tough Customers
Young children like what they like and while being curious about new things, unless they sense some immediate value, they will pretty much ignore our suggestions with hardly a casual wave of the hand. They have no qualms about sharing their disapproval with us. Tough sale!
Are You a Wild Reader?
Wild Readers always have a book going—or maybe several. “Wildies” will read anything when a chance is presented. Our education system should encourage every child to be a wild reader by allowing them to choose reading material that interests them.
Over and Over and OVER Again
Abundant research studies exist about the fabulous benefits of repeatedly and expressively reading any well-chosen book to children.
Kids Can’t Fly with Training Wheels
Phonetically regular books with titles like “Nat the Fat Cat” and “Al and Sally are Pals” are the equivalent of training wheels for reading. And literacy training wheels, like bicycle training wheels, are a hindrance, not a help, when kids are learning to read or ride.
Can Struggling Readers Be Avid Readers?
If we—teachers and parents—ease off on our eagerness to have children keep up with their peers on the road to reading and allow them to progress at their own speeds, they will be well on their way to becoming avid, lifelong readers.
Stop Worrying About Grade-Level Reading Growth
The concerns about making sure that all children progress at the same pace in their reading test score growth have always been misplaced, misguided, and deeply rooted in U.S. schooling practices. We must join hands to eliminate standard book assignment practices and help kids find books they want to read and enjoy.
The Birth and Life of an Avid Reader
Avid readers have adopted a delightful path forward in their lives that leads to lifelong growth in their understanding about and the love of books.
Add More Lap Time to Your Days
Literacy starts with little ones sitting in the laps of trusted loved ones, reading and discussing books that children love.
Expression Over Accuracy: Supporting the Development of Joyful Readers
For those who care about lifelong reading and learning, reading speed and accuracy are low priorities. When teaching children to become eager daily readers, kids benefit from learning to express emotion when reading to themselves or others.
Children’s Questions Lead to Lifelong Learning
Exploring the possibilities for obtaining answers to their own questions about the world helps children form a foundation for enriched lifelong learning.
The Skilled Non-Reader
An understanding about books and reading transforms reluctant and skilled non-readers into lifelong readers and learners.
How Not to Lose Ground in Literacy Growth
Literacy growth does not halt for children during breaks from formal education if they enjoy daily, relaxed reading of self-selected books.
The Baby Won’t Stop Crying. What to Do?
Unsuccessful attempts to console a crying baby are roughly equivalent to failed attempts to interest a child in reading.
Books That Celebrate Diverse Readers
New or reluctant readers must encounter one or more things that make them increasingly comfortable with the expanding range of books that they take into their hands.