Parent Resources
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Tips from the American Library Association:
1. Visit your school library. Is there a qualified librarian available to work with students? Are the books and resources up to date? Children cannot be educated to live and work in the 21st century using resources from the 1970s. Let your principal and school board know of your concerns.
2. Get to know your school librarian. Ask what the needs are and how you can help. Donations of books and equipment such as computers and video players may be welcome. Offer to volunteer your time.
3. Join the Friends of the Library, a support group of volunteers who provide fundraising and other assistance. If there is no group, offer to start one.
4. Help your child be school ready. Enroll your preschool child in story hours and other programs at the public library. Make sure your child has a library card and knows how to use it. Read together with your child. Research shows that children who are read to in the home do better in school.
5. Be a role model. Let your child see you reading at home. Help your child explore new technology. Many school and public libraries make computers available for public use. Feel free to ask for assistance.
Support legislators who support libraries and education. Let them know you think the two go together and should be a high priority.
How to Read Aloud to Your Child and Why It's Important
According to the Family Literacy Foundation, the many benefits of reading aloud with children are:
· Children's self esteem grows as they experience the security of having a parent or other caring person read aloud with them.
· Children experience increased communication with parents and other family members.
· Children are introduced to new concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and alphabet, in a fun, age appropriate way.
· Children build listening skills, vocabulary, memory, and language skills.
· Children develop imagination and creativity.
· Children learn information about the world around them.
· Children develop individual interests in special subjects like dinosaurs, cats, or cars.
· Children learn positive behavior patterns and social values.
· Children learn positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
· CHILDREN LEARN THE JOY OF READING!
Websites about Reading to Your Child
Reading Aloud: Tips for Parents and Teachers
This website has a collection of resources that explain how to read aloud and which stories to select for young children, children, and teenagers.
Reading is Fundamental: Reading Aloud
Research shows that reading aloud to your child is the number one indicator of how well your child will read; this website includes information and tips about reading aloud.
Books about Reading to Your Child
Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever
Mem Fox
The Read-Aloud Handbook, 6th ed.
Jim Trelease
National Institute of Literacy
National Institute of Literacy
Booklists of Books that Children Love
Experienced teachers have organized lists of great read aloud books for children from pre-K to 8th grade.
Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, or outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways. Books that win the Newbery and Caldecott Awards are automatically included in this list.
This website for children 12 and younger recommend scary stories for children to read.
The Young Adult Library Services Association provides a one-stop shop for information and suggestions about your teen and reading. This website includes teen award winners and books that teens will love. This website is geared towards children.