Peek-a-boo, Speak-a-boo

Research shows that children who hear books read to them are better speakers, listeners, and readers. Describing the pictures, explaining the meaning of the story, and discussing the meaning of books creates a more socially adapted child AND improves the child's understanding of the world. The oral and written language they are exposed to helps expand their ever growing vocabulary at a very rapid pace! Maybe you've seen this mathematical explanation...

Take 2 children...Child One reads or is read to for 20 minutes each night; Child Two reads or is read to for 4 minutes or less each night.

If Child One reads 5 nights each week, he/she will read 100 minutes each week while Child Two will read only 20 minutes a week. Child One will then read 400 minutes each month or 3600 minutes during one school year, which is the equivalent to 10 school days. Child Two will read only 80 minutes each month or 720 minutes during one school year, which is the equivalent to only 2 school days.

By the time these 2 students are in 6th grade, if they have maintained these same habits, Child One will have read a total of 60 full days while Child Two will have only read 12 days.

Which student is more likely to have gaps not only in his/her reading ability, but in his/her speaking & listening ability, as well as standard vocabulary? YOU'VE GOT IT! Child Two is far less likely to succeed. Did you know that a third grade student who is behind in reading has a 75% chance of being as behind in the ninth grade? Did you also know that your child's reading foundation is almost 75% shaped by the time they exit first grade?!

Need I say more? Go grab a book RIGHT NOW! HA! I'm posting some websites during the next couple of weeks which I hope you find useful! Some read to your child while others allow your child to read from the book on the screen. There are also some which are game oriented. I hope your child will find at least one of them exciting & engaging! I will try & post one a day for the next 2 weeks ... I've got a bunch to share! For today, try Speak-a-boo...It's geared towards the younger student...Probably ages 3-7. Some of the stories in favorites and folk tales might be engaging for your 8-10 year olds. You can become a member & also download some free goodies!



HAPPY LISTENING!

http://www.speakaboos.com