Your Child Learning to Read
It will be one of your proudest moments as a parent, when your child first begins to read on her own. Is your child ready? What are the do’s and don’ts of early reading instruction?
In our technology-focused world, parents are increasingly faced with decisions about what tools to use to educate their children at home. The flood of new apps and interactive websites are a welcome solution for many. Still, most parents acknowledge that there is no substitute for quality time spent side by side, reading and talking about books (even if they are e-books!) with a child.
For parents, grandparents, caregivers, and homeschoolers who want to take an active role in teaching a child to read, American Reading @Home is a proven, research-based solution that can be instantly tailored to your schedule and the individual needs of your child. There are no workbooks, no videos, and no interactive games. Instead, you are encouraged to spend just 10 minutes a day listening to your child read from “Books That Fit.” With American Reading @Home, children grow into curious, inspired, and confident readers who are eager to learn more. The program establishes the foundation for success in school and a genuine love of reading that will last a lifetime.
Using “Books That Fit”
Each of us, whether toddler, teenager, adult, or senior citizen, gravitates to the things we do well and enjoy, and we shy away from things that are too difficult or make us uncomfortable. This is precisely why it’s so important to use “Books That Fit” for beginning readers.
Now imagine having to shop for a new pair of shoes in a store where none of the shoeboxes are labeled with size information. Unfortunately, this very problem exists for children (and their parents) since books are not universally “sized” by level of difficulty. Compounding this problem is that there are very few books on the market that support children during the earliest stages of reading development. Even books that are labeled “for beginning readers” are often too hard for the true emerging reader who can’t yet read any words.
American Reading @Home offers more than 200 specially designed books that work like the training wheels on a bicycle. A child will gain confidence using books at the “just right” level of challenge; as she develops new skills, the “training wheels” are gradually removed. Because so much of the reading support is provided by the actual books, children can do much of the learning on their own. This provides the child with tremendous confidence and a sense of ownership of their own learning. It also makes learning to read fun and enjoyable.
About American Reading @Home
American Reading @Home is based on the award-winning, school-based program from American Reading Company used in thousands of schools across the country. This teacher-vetted, parent-approved, and kid-friendly program combines best practices in classroom instruction with longstanding research-based methods to foster successful readers at home.
The company was founded by Jane Hileman, a former teacher, reading specialist, and university educator who is also a mother of two. While working in the classroom, Jane saw how quickly students advanced when using “Books That Fit” – that is, books at the appropriate level of challenge that match both the precise stage of the child’s reading development and the child’s interests. Twenty years later, built on this very premise, American Reading Company is now a nationally renowned leader in scientifically based educational programs that promote sustained reading achievement.
Visit www.americanreadingathome.com to grow a healthy reader!