,.....S.I , Nyyhorket..x • •

Reading Is Crucial
To Academic Success

, •

ALISON ASHTON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Beth Hayeled Nursery School

Rena Cohen (Southfield Campus)
248-357-5544

Rena Weintraub (W. Bloomfield)
248-681-4235

2qco

Beth Shalom Religious School

KINDERGARTEN

Join your fellow classmates for a taste of Beth

Shalom's awesome 1997-98 Kindergarten! Beth

Shalom is tuition free for all. including non-members.

Call 547-7970 to reserve your spot!
For a small charge
your brothers and sisters
can join you in grades I - 12.

• ..••••••••••

0

s" ■ .>■,_

-s

I

f you don't think reading is braries have a children's room, but
the most important skill a beyond that there's plenty to en-
child can learn, consider this: gage youngsters. The sooner chil-
In 1995, 32 percent of job dren start visiting the library, the
sooner they'll learn the etiquette
applicants failed a literacy
of being quiet and treating
test. That means almost
one-third of people applying Read ing is a books with respect.
• Be aware of what your
for a job could not pass a ba- basi c skill.
children read, but let them
sic test of their reading and
choose their own reading matter.
writing skills.
Reading skills are crucial to Unless materials are flat-out in-
children's academic success — and appropriate, allow children to pe-
to their vocational success as ruse what they want. You want
adults — but learning to read is them to enjoy reading, not think
hard work and many kids balk at of it as something they have to do
for your approval.
it. They'll whine that it's too tough,
• Encourage kids to discuss
too dull, too nerdy.
The key, any teacher will tell what they've read. This develops
their critical faculties and helps
you, is making reading a pleasure,
not a chore. A child who loves to parents assess how well children
comprehend what they read. Ask
read will never be lonely or bored.
Here are a few ways parents children to describe the plot, as
can encourage children to read for well as what they liked - and dis-
liked - about the story.
fun:
• Build a child's library. Paint
• Read together. A child's love
of literature begins with nightly a small bookshelf in bright, cheer-
bedtime stories. Picture books ful colors and place it in an easily
with simple, silly rhymes show accessible spot where children can
kids that words can be fun and always find their old favorites.
Also create a cozy, quiet nook
fanciful.
• Encourage your child to read where little ones can settle down
to you. As she learns new skills, with their favorite books.
• Encourage friends and fami-
turn the tables by asking her to
read her favorite books aloud to ly members to give books as gifts.
you. This is a fun, easy way. to Brand-new children's books are
expensive to buy on a regular ba-
monitor her progress.
• Set a good example. It's all sis, but they make affordable pre-
very well to tell your kids to read, sents. Also check out garage sales,
and even to spend time reading thrift stores and secondhand book-
with them, but they won't get the stores to find inexpensive used
message if they hear you telling books for your child's library.
• Capitalize on a child's inter-
them to read, but see you watch-
ing television. They need to see ests. Did Jurassic Park spark a
love affair with T. Rex? It also
that you read for pleasure, too.
• Have plenty of reading ma- spawned dozens of terrific books
terials available. A house devoid on dinosaurs and other fossil
of newspapers, magazines and friends. Your little reader will gob-
books isn't reader-friendly. Even ble up books about her current fas-
very young children can enjoy pe- cination — whatever it may be.
• Ask the teacher. If your child
rusing a newspaper or magazine;
coffee table books also are invit- is stubbornly reluctant to read,
mention it to her teacher and find
ing for curious young minds.
• Take very young children to out if that reluctance is reflected
the library. Most community li- in the classroom. The teacher may
have suggestions on what you can