Learn to Read #1: Facts and Myths for Parents

Jun 23rd 2007

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by Janet Twyman Ph.D

Learn to Read #1: Facts and Myths for Parents

Part One: Read to Succeed Series. What Parents Need to Know to help their kids learn to read.

We all agree that "Read to Succeed" is more than a marketing slogan. It is truth in today's globally competitive world for our children. Yet we as parents still suffer from learning to read myths, perhaps passed on from our parents, perhaps propagated by society. If we as parents truly want our children to "read to succeed", we need to overcome these myths and help our kids by supporting what really is proven to work for reading success.

A child's (and a person's for that matter) ability to read sets the tone for life success. There is no controversy over this statement. We have all seen the literacy rate studies where the US falls behind many other countries. We have all heard about the "No Child Left Behind" push from the US government and the increased pressure on our school systems to deliver measurable test improvement scores on basic literacy. We all agree that "Read to Succeed" is more than a marketing slogan. It is truth in today's globally competitive world for our children. Yet we as parents still suffer from learning to read myths, perhaps passed on from our parents, perhaps propagated by society. If we as parents truly want our children to "read to succeed", we need to overcome these myths and help our kids by supporting what really is proven to work for reading success.

Hard-to-Believe Learning-to-Read Facts:

If we want to make a difference for our children, we need to know and accept the learning-to-read facts without hiding our head's in the sand:

The following facts give you an idea of the severity of our nation's reading problem:

Nearly 40% of Fourth Graders have not mastered basic reading skills. It's nearly 60% in California, and almost half of these children live with college-educated parents. Source: -- Council for Basic Education If a child is a poor reader at the end of First Grade there is a nearly 90% probability that the child will remain a poor reader at the end of Fourth Grade. Source: -- The Public Library Association Experts say about 5% of the nation's children learn to read with ease, almost intuitively. An additional 20% to 30% learn to read with relative ease once they enter school and begin formal instruction. However, the bulk of children (about 60%) have difficulty. Source: -- Council for Basic Education Hard-to-Believe Learning-to-Read Myths:

Now, consider the following myths that we as parents accept without thinking as true, but are in fact not true at all. These Learning-To-Read Myths help perpetuate poor reading skills and prevent us from taking action to make a change: MYTH: Kids learn to read by being read to.

FACT: Reading to young children will help develop their interest in reading. Many children learn bits and pieces this way; however, "being read to" does not equal "learning to read." And only 5% of children actually learn to read by being immersed in reading. Learning to read is not like learning to speak, where children literally "soak up" a spoken language. Children must learn the skills necessary for reading, and for all but a few, this requires explicit instruction.

MYTH: Reading is a natural process that will happen on its own when a child is ready.

FACT: There must be a certain level of reading readiness, and most two-year-olds, for example, are not ready to read. At one time, reading was thought to develop naturally, when a child was "mature" enough, but this is no longer the belief. Research now indicates that the 4- to 6-year-old range is the sweet spot for teaching reading. Beyond the age of 6 or 7, teaching a child to read is simply a game of catch up. Most children do not learn to read "on their own" - and if a child is struggling to read at age nine, the Council for Basic Education maintains there's a 75% chance he or she will have difficulties with reading throughout high school.

MYTH: All kids will learn to read in school.

FACT: Not necessarily. The range of entering skills among young children - regardless of their background - varies widely, and is extremely challenging to manage even for our best teachers. Providing individual attention and interaction based on each child's unique capabilities, and managing an entire class at the same time, is a daunting challenge. Yet reading experts say that children need lots of practice with reading fundamentals (phonics, sounding out, blending, etc.). Given the "facts of life" in a classroom - overall student/teacher ratios and general work overload - most teachers do the best job they can. However, too many children are being left behind. One thing is clear: Too many of our children cannot read or have difficulty reading. And, if they don't read fluently, the chances for a fulfilling life - in terms of job skills, financial stability, or academic achievement - are greatly diminished.

What Parents Can Do With Your School:

As in all problems parents have to solve, understanding and distinguishing between the true facts and the "conventional wisdom" myths is the key to making improvements. This first step is education. Take these facts and myths to your kid's teacher, your kids school administrators, your school district and your friends. Ask them what they think. Ask them to dispute these facts and myths. Challenge them to face the truth about what it takes to teach a child to read, and to explain to you how they are addressing these issues. Ask them if they are focused on improving their reading programs? Ask them if they have a plan... are they embracing technology; do they have individualized reading programs? What are they going to do?

Get active. Get loud. Email this article, or better yet, print it out and take if to you kid's educators in person. Make a difference for your children with your school system. Quite literally, your child's future, and the future of our great nation depends on it.

What Parents Can Do On Your Own:

In part II of this article, we will offer help and suggestions as to what you as an individual parent can do on your own to help your young child to "Read to Succeed". Stay tuned. The future of your children, and our nation is in your hands.

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