EARLY READING  SPELLS SUCCESS 

        "G-R-A-D-U-A-T-I-O-N"

It's not surprising that research shows the sooner a child meets success with reading, the more likely he is to continue having scholastic success. In fact, according to a study conducted by Sarah Sparks (, a child who is poor and reading below grade level by the third grade, is less likely to graduate on time, if at all. Thirteen times less likely!

The twin problems of delayed graduation and school drop-out rates affect us all. On the microcosmic level, individual children are usually sentenced to a life of low-paying wages and continuous embarrassment. On the macrocosmic level, we as a nation get virtually no return on our investment of tax dollars. (The average per capita cost of public education is over $9000 a year.)

WHAT'S A PARENT TO DO?

No matter your income or the location of your school district, parents have a wide array of resources available to them, resources designed to ensure that children not only learn to read at an early age, but that they enjoy the process. If there's truth to the saying that what we learn with love, we never forget, then enjoyment is surely part of the reading process. (Einstein echoed this observation when he assured us that "love is the best teacher.")

1. Read to your childBut first, find out what fascinates your child. (If there is no easily-identified fascination, find out the typical sources of wonder for children at various ages. If it's not dinosaurs, it may be super-heroes or Disney characters. Some interests are definitely predictable.) Then find a book on the subject of her fascination. Read limited amounts at nighttime. You must definitely leave her wanting more.

2. Let your children see you reading.Research by Albert Bandura found that we abstract information by observing the behaviors of other people. Later, we make decisions regarding which behaviors to adopt, based on earlier observations. It's important for your children to see you reading, and enjoying, a book or newspaper article.

3. Find reading support in your city.Most public libraries have programs linking children and books. Your child's teacher may know about other reading programs, such as the Reading Education Assistance, Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program. Know that your city has dozens if not hundreds of retired teachers, most of whom will be willing to assist in one way or another. It may take some time and effort on your part, but reaching out often yields results that benefit the whole family.

4. Find reading support in your city.

If your child struggles with reading comprehension  or vocabulary, look for a tutoring program at reputable learning center such as KnowledgePoints.  These programs provide comprehensive diagnostics that pinpoint that areas of reading in which your child has difficulties.

Early reading success is critically important. But, it's never too late to get started on a program that allows love to teach.

Call KnowledgePoints at 973-593-0500 to learn more about their reading programs for Grades 1-12.