Home Help for Intermediate Readers — Part I - Article 9 in a Series to Parents

Home Help for Intermediate

Readers — Part I -

Article 9 in a Series to Parents

by Dr. Edward  E. Green

General Manager of Family Literacy Centers, Inc. 

We are often reminded that many of our nation’s children cannot read. As a concerned

parent you want the best for your child, realizing that the “best” is possible only when he

or she can read and write competently. This series of articles shows parents ways to help strengthen their children in the areas of reading and writing, as well as in personal values. The focus in the next several articles is on children of intermediate reading levels - typically children

of average reading ability in third and fourth grades. This is a critical time in a youngster’s educational career. If there are problems with reading, they must be dealt with now. 

The statistics on illiteracy are sobering. There is a high correlation between employment success and reading skills. Seventy-five percent of unemployed adults have reading or writing difficulties. Workers who lack a high school diploma earn a mean monthly income of nearly one-fifth of those who have a bachelor’s degree. A very strong connection exists between inability to read and social problems. A person who cannot read well in the 4th grade is more likely to need public assistance

or end up in prison. Fortunately, education programs have been shown to reverse these trends.

If your youngster is 8 or 9 years of age, it’s not too late to become involved. If a child can’t read well by third grade, and no steps are taken to help, chances for later success are significantly diminished. If a child does read well at this age, it is the time to solidify and expand these skills. 

On the positive side, consider the advantages of being a good reader. Good readers do better in school, and are more likely to graduate from high school and obtain advanced education or training. Skilled readers learn more and understand more. And so they are capable of making better decisions with respect to finances, family relations, and politics. They are more likely to enjoy fine literature and the arts. In short, they have the potential for a fuller, more enjoyable life. So what can parents do to help? Children of this age are beginning to mature in many ways and seek independence. But family involvement is also widely recognized as a way to improve student performance. When families can show a commitment to reading, everybody benefits. Reading

must be a part of a family’s daily routine.  Some families have an individual reading time. Others

read together, when they read novels, stories, or religious books. This should be a regularly scheduled family reading time.

DAD:

“Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern

to her mother as they were setting the table for

breakfast. “Out at the hoghouse,” replied Mrs. Arable.

“Some pigs were born last night.”

“I don’t see why he needs an ax,” continued

Fern, who was only eight.

“Well,” said her mother,” one of the pigs is a

runt. It’s very small and weak, and it will never

amount to anything. So your father has decided

to do away with it.”

“Do away with it?’ Shrieked Fern. “You mean

kill it? Just because it’s smaller than the

others?” 

Parents can plan family writing activities as well. Family journals, histories, or letters are a fun way to learn to write as well as increase family bonding.

CHILD:

In July our family went camping along the

Oregon Coast. This is Sammy with his feet in the

Pacific Ocean.

OTHER CHILD:

Why don’t you add that was the day everybody

went out and ran around in the rain together. 

Parents can show that they value reading. Make sure the child sees you reading - and enjoying it. Limit your own TV viewing. If too much TV is not good for children, it’s not good for adults either.

Fathers have a powerful influence on their children, particularly boys of ages 8 - 9. Most of the youngsters in remedial reading programs in the United States are boys. That is not the case in other countries. The problem seems to rest in our culture, in which men value sports and other activities over education. If a boy seldom sees an adult male reading, he’s going to conclude that

reading is not for real men. An expert on reading has this advice: “A father can play catch in the backyard after dinner and on the same night, read to the child for fifteen minutes. He can take him to the baseball game on Friday night and to the library on Saturday morning.” 

Sometimes parents need to be super salesman - and their product is books. Make reading fun. In too many homes reading is drudgery - and the parents don’t like to read either. One way to sell children on reading is to make reading materials available at home - even if it hurts. Another important factor in inspiring a love for reading is providing a warm emotional environment,

where it’s okay if people make mistakes and take risks. Sometimes parents are so tense and eager for success that they make their child miserable. Give praise and positive feedback for reading and writing attempts.

MOM:

What a great poem! It rhymes and everything. 

Think about the way you encouraged your children when they were tiny. When they were learning to walk, you praised every faltering step. So they weren’t afraid to try. Unfortunately, when children grow older, some parents come down hard on every mistake. If a child is having serious trouble learning how to read, make every effort to find out why and see that help is given. Don’t

put it off. 

This series on Home Help for Intermediate Readers has three more articles containing ideas and examples that parents can use in helping their children: (1) helping children improve reading skills, (2) helping them improve writing skills, and (3) suggestions for helping them strengthen values through reading.