Reading with your child will increase their vocabulary and will help give them the skills they need to succeed. Look at the results of one study on reading…
Student “A” reads 20 minutes each day= 3,600 minutes in a school year= 1,800,000 words
Student “B” reads 5 minutes each day=900 minutes in a school year= 282,000 words
Student “C” reads 1 minute each day= 180 minutes in a school year= 8,000 words
Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary? Which student would you expect to be more successful in school…and in life? (Nagy & Herman, 1987)
As mentors, look for ways to add reading to your hour. One of these ideas may help…
* Read to your child as he/she eats their lunch or a snack
* Visit the library each week and choose one book to read together
* Listen to a book online http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/online-storytime-books-toys/379003588/
* Make a book journal together. List every book that you read during the hour and share your opinion about it.