It's R. A. D - Reading Aloud Daily!

R.A.D. ~ Reading Aloud Daily

Or, also known as Good Reading Habit!

As a Children's Librarian it is part of my job to promote literacy for all ages! Reading is very important to children's development as you will see when you continue reading.

As a parent you have a wonderful responisbility to also promote your child(ren)'s reading ability! It does not matter if you are an great reader who goes through scads of books in one month or if you are alliterate, a person who can read but has no interest in doing so. It. Does. Not. Matter! All you have to do is set your child in the right track with a good reading habit!

The Children's Reading Foundation's Tips

Reading aloud daily is a huge fundamental element to guaranteeing the bright future of your child(ren). The Children's Reading Foundation (CRF) is an excellent source for parents, grandparents, guardians, caregivers to visit to educating themselves on the importance of literacy for children starting at age 0.

According to CRF,

"Children whose parents read with them learn to ready early and well. ... Getting your child ready to read is getting your child to succeed in school. Schools deliver 85% of the curriculum use printed words in books, written words on chalkboards/white-boards and digitized words on computer screens. Reading is the most fundamental skill your child will use during his or here 12-20 years as a student."

The Children's Reading Foundation as an excellent webpage For Families on skills and ways to begin R.A.D. I HIGHLY recommended visiting their page For Families to pick up ways to start. There different sections for you to refer to pending the age of your child, if your a grandparent, and recommended rhymes.

As a preview, here is their ABC's to Getting Ready to Learn to Read:

A. Aloud. Read about 20 minutes a day with your child. From birth to age five, this enjoyable activity provides 600 hours of essential pre-literacy preparation before entering school. Once in school it's essential to continue the read-aloud habit through elementary school.

B. Basic knowledge before entering kindergarten. Ideally, at age five, your child may:

• Listen to a book and retell the beginning, middle, and end.
• Know 12-15 upper case letters (A, B, C)
• Know 12-15 lower case letters (a, b, c)
• Know sounds of 12-15 letters
• Recite 6-10 nursery rhymes
• Know some print concepts (e.g. reading moves left to right, meaning comes from words, pictures helping meaning)
• Speak in complete sentences
• Print first name using upper and lower case letters 

C. Conversation. Having frequent conversations with your child. Reading is about language. Immerse you child in it. Talk Often, listen adn ask you child questions that require more than a one or two word response.

Children entering school with these literacy skills are on track to read well by third grade.

Now, in my opinion, if your child does not meet all the "ideal skills" in section B it does not mean that your child will fail school!

Each child is different and learn on different levels. The importance of R.A.D is that you, as a parent, is to begin the love of books and literacy. A child who loves stories and books are more likely to continue reading as they enter school. 

Feeling intimated already? Never fear! Here are my quick tips for getting you started

• Still visit the For Families webpage
• check out what they have to offer

• Take your child(ren) to your local library where you can
• pick out lots of books.
• Allow your child(ren) to pick out books that they think are cool. You can also sneak in some beginning reader books to get them in the learning reading stage.
 
• go to storytime 
• filled with stories, songs, and rhymes and usually last at least 30 minutes and is dedicated to promoting literacy for young ones)
• To see read about the benefits of storytime check out my post here!  

• ask your Children's Librarian for recommendations
• I'm not tooting my own horn, but the Children's Librarians are trained professionals to help you and your family find books for most-if-not-all your literacy needs!

• get your child(ren) their own library card!
• if your child meets your library system's age requirement, sign your child(ren) up for a library card! If you were to wait until the child is at least in preschool or kindergarten they tend of have a stronger understanding about having an awesome library card (in comparison to a toddler). Allow your child(ren) to check out one or two books on their card - remember to let them hand the librarian the card and books. It makes them feel important!

Reading Comprehension 

Believe it or not, but reading aloud contributes to reading comprehension.  If you want to check on your child's comprehension of the stories that you are reading to them or that they are reading on their own, all you have to do is Read Aloud! According to research, that reading aloud allows the reader to slow down to concentrate and process the words.

Another method to add to gaining understanding of your child's reading comprehension is by asking them questions! Check out WP-CC's post on example Reading Comprehension Questions to ask.




Start out with these tips and grow! If you have questions, ask away in the comments area, or got to your local library to ask your own local Children's Librarian! Just remember, have a totally rad time reading aloud daily!