For Parents of Struggling Readers

FEATURED PUBLICATIONS

Opening the Door to Learning 2008 (English)

October 2008 - Opening the Door to Learning (2008) was designed by a team of educators and librarians to help parents and caregivers strengthen literacy in the lives of their children from birth to DOWNLOAD PDF »

Sometimes children do not learn to read easily and might struggle. Here are some things you can do to help:

• Continue to read to them. Make reading a regular and enjoyable family activity. Let them see you and other important adults read books, magazines and newspapers regularly.
• Encourage them to read at home. Have interesting books and magazines available and give them time and space at home to read. The more young people read, the better they can read. 
• Help them select a variety of materials from the school or public library. These might include audiobooks, novels, e-books, fact books, magazines, comic books, graphic novels and children’s books.
• Read to and with them several times a week in whatever language you speak in the home. The more they hear language, the more they will be able to adopt and adapt language for their own expressions. 
• Talk with their teachers so that you know what’s expected at school.
• Find out about after-school tutoring and other extra help available. Ask the teacher, school principal or parent coordinator.
• Take advantage of after-school and summer activities offered by community organizations. (See the New York City Resources page within the Literacy Resources section for more information.) Many of these programs, like summer reading club at the public library, are free of charge.
• Provide opportunities for them to read books with lots of visuals. Many libraries offer an enjoyable variety of graphic novels, illustrated information books and picture books that are appealing to teen readers.
• Encourage them to read different genres, including poetry, short stories, autobiographies, memoirs, essays and historical fiction.