There is a growing problem of children and adults in America who cannot read a newspaper article. It is estimated that 68% of America’s fourth graders do not read proficiently. One out of six children who do not read at age level by the end of third grade will likely not graduate from high school.

One intervention is for children to have books in the home. Low-income, at-risk, and rural children must have access to books. Research has shown why access to books in the home is important to all children. Children should have books to read at home to

• improve their reading performance
• make it easier to find something fun to read
• produce better attitudes about reading

There are numerous interventions that can stop this growing epidemic of illiteracy with our children. One such intervention is to simply read with your child. In our book, Learning to Read: Favorite Fairy Tales your child will easily develop their reading skills. Listed below are a few reading tips:

• Read to your child out loud while your child listens to what you are reading
• Instruct your child to look at each word in the book while your child points to each word
• Your child is introduced to new vocabulary while listening to our audiobooks
• Your child will be introduced to the sounds and recognition of new words in context

Remember you are your child’s best teacher. Include children’s books in your homeschooling program. Have fun reading with your child today!