THE NEED TO READ, KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 3RD GRADE Our ability to read affects everything we do. But for your younger child, the frustrations of getting through a book may overshadow the benefits of the effort, as well as the fun. Reading is the cornerstone of how we learn, and the younger a child is, the easier it is to pick up good study habits in school. Children who are regular readers score better on standardized tests, and tend to do better in school overall. But not all children are eager to set aside playtime or TV time in order to read a book. One way to encourage your child to read is to make it into a fun activity. Set up a reading area in your house with comfortable chairs and good lighting. Don’t make the only fun place to lounge in front of the television. Fill a bookshelf with books that interest your child. Don’t worry about books being too educational or too serious; the more interested your child is in a topic, the more likely she is to read it, whether it’s a picture book about airplanes or historical fiction. Also, provide your child with sources of new reading materials. This does not necessarily mean buying new books often; magazines subscriptions and local library cards are great ways for your child to expand her reading materials on her own. Read with your child. When you and your child read together, she will get a better sense of the flow of the words, and you will be there to help her with difficult words or plot developments. This also is a valuable way to show that reading isn’t a chore, because you will both be involved together. Don’t pressure your child too much. Reading does not have to be an all-day activity; 15 minutes is plenty of time for her to practice her reading skills and get information from a book. The more comfortable your child becomes with her reading skills, the more she will want to read on her own. K-3 Reading Worksheet: Here are two recommended books and some related study questions. “Freckle Juice” by Judy Blume What character did you like best and why? Would you have tried freckle juice? Why or why not? How are Andrew and Sharon alike? “Ramona Quimby, Age 8” by Beverly Cleary What does Ramona overhear Mrs. Whaley saying about her and why does it hurt her feelings? Do you think Ramona is really a show-off and a nuisance? Why are Ramona’s teachers always so important to her? What is the “happy ending” to the day when the Quimbys go out for dinner together one dismal rainy Sunday when everyone is cross?