November 5, 2007

Don't stop reading aloud with children

We stopped reading aloud with our son, Justin, in second grade because he was doing well. Maybe we stopped too early. Now in fourth grade, he's slipped in reading and isn't interested in books anymore. (He does love computer games!) Is he too old for reading aloud? Will it help?

No, he's not too old, and yes, it could help. Just make it fun and don't make him feel like he's failing.

Justin may be in what teachers call the "fourth-grade slump." Some readers fall behind when they go from "learning to read" in early elementary to "reading to learn" in fourth grade and beyond.

The transition from cute stories about Nemo to a science chapter about fish with unfamiliar vocabulary, charts, captions and diagrams is challenging to some. Fourth-grade reading, which includes a lot of nonfiction, requires more sophisticated comprehension skills and vocabulary.

First, meet with Justin's teacher. Explain your concerns. Many teachers are trained to diagnose reading problems and nip them in the bud. Make it clear that you want to work with her to address any problem she might identify.

Second, discuss with Justin's teacher ways to motivate him to read for fun. A recent NAEP Report (nces.ed.gov) shows that as students advance in the grades, they read less for pleasure. Research shows that students who read for fun every day are better readers. "Work with the school library-media director to help Justin find books and materials that match his interests," says Carl Harvey, a library media specialist at North Elementary School in Noblesville, Ind., and adviser to Library Media Connection magazine.

Third, make reading aloud a fun family activity, not a homework task. "The academic benefits of reading aloud are many but you don't have to hammer them home. When you read with him, you'll introduce him to new ideas, concepts and vocabulary that he can't yet read for himself," says Harvey. "This builds knowledge that helps him with comprehension and spurs his intellectual growth and curiosity." There are emotional benefits too, Harvey notes. "When you take the time to read an article about a new computer game with him, you you're sending a message to your son that he's special and worth your time. There's another advantage: Many fiction selections that appeal to fourth graders deal with complex social issues that children are beginning to grapple with. Reading with him gives you the chance to talk them through."

Kick off your reading time by celebrating Children's Book Week, Nov. 12-18, suggests Harvey. "Take the whole family to a bookstore or library and stock up on books the whole family might enjoy. Establish your 'read together daily' pattern throughout the week."

Justin will reap maximum benefits when you do the following, says Harvey.

-- Read what you love. If you love what you're reading to Justin, he will, too. Something that bores you will bore Justin too. "Find stories you both like," says Harvey. "Don't limit your reading to fiction. If he likes sports, read the sports section of the paper. Experiment. For example, there are funny poetry collections by Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein that will have the family in stitches. There are also great almanacs, atlases, math puzzle books and science series to enjoy."

-- Interact with the material. As you read, define words Justin does not know. Have fun with the new words. For example, use the words in a funny note tucked his lunch box. Stop at the end of a chapter or passage for discussion. Ask family members who are participating to predict what will happen next. Who was right? How did they know? Read with expression. Ham it up! "These interactions teach Justin key reading strategies," says Harvey.

-- Trade off reading. Read a passage and then ask Justin to read it, or one that follows. Do family round robin reading. If a business trip takes you out of town, ask a big sister to step in, or tape selections for him to listen to while you're away. Get books on tape he can listen to en route to soccer games and shopping.

-- Teacher tip. The minute this activity ceases to be fun, stop and switch gears. "The point is to show Justin that reading can help us 'chill' at the end of a stressful day; that it opens new doors for us and helps us enjoy the world we live in," says Harvey. When he sees these benefits, he'll be on his way to becoming a lifelong reader.

A-Plus Advice For Parents, aplusadvice.com

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