BEGIN WITH BOOKS / Parent Reading Tips

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on classroom instruction, and it is too early to know if, or to what extent, students’ learning will be impacted.   Literacy rates in the Lowcountry were abysmal before the pandemic, as data from South Carolina’s literacy assessment suggests an alarming 50% of students in Grades 3-8 are struggling to read and comprehend grade-level text.   (The 2019-2020 state assessments were suspended .) Parents’ fears of their children falling behind are completely justified.   Well, good news parents!   You can play a vital role to avoid reading setbacks and keep your kiddos on track. Research shows that knowledge gained from previous experiences may significantly increase a poor reader’s comprehension of the text.   How does that work?   Let’s say your child’s class is reading about stalactites and stalagmites and your family visited a cave this summer.   Your child’s text comprehension will likely be higher than students who...

“ The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school. ” -- National Commission on Reading -- Reading aloud to children is the home activity most associated with later reading success in school.   By now you have heard this message many times.   Let’s explore why reading aloud to your child is so important and how to make the most of your reading time together. Why it’s so important to read aloud to your child Snuggling up with a book becomes your child’s special time with you -- a pleasurable activity your child looks forward to.   The more enjoyable your child finds reading, the more he will want to read.   Wanting to read, or be read to, is a very important first step in learning to read.   The Dolly Parton Imagination Library recommends reading aloud to your child for at least 15 minutes a day if you can. Repeated exposure to books teaches ...