We know though that when parents get involved at home, our students have a better chance at succeeding in school and in life. Just 20 minutes a day can not only help make your child a more proficient reader, it will strengthen the bond between parents and their kids.”
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Read Early, Read Often
Just 20 minutes a day opens a world of possibilities!
Reading aloud together just 20 minutes a day helps you build strong connections with your child and conveys to him that reading is fun. Plus, you are getting your child ready to succeed in school.
According to a 2010 report from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, “the ability to read is central to a child’s success in school, lifelong earning potential, and the ability to contribute to the nation’s economy and its security.” Building literacy skills helps children succeed in the long run: Research shows that children who are reading proficiently by the end of third grade are more likely to graduate from high school.
Raising a reader
Children are learning at birth—even before. The early years are the most extraordinary period of growth and development in a child’s lifetime. There are less than 2,000 days from the time a child is born until he or she enters kindergarten. Every day counts!
It is never too early to read with your child. Following are some tips from the 2012 Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines for helping develop early communication (literacy) skills with your child.
For more on child growth and learning at different ages, please visit the related websites listed on the right and del.wa.gov/development.
