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Families important to literacy skills

“Make reading a habit-at home” is theme of New Carlisle’s Right to Read events this week

New Carlisle Elementary first-graders Ariel Franck (center) and Katie Kennedy play tug of war with each other's octopus tentacles as their classmate, Liam Mabelitini, lends a fin outside their classroom Wednesday, May 6. The costumes were part of the school's

Bill Lackey New Carlisle Elementary first-graders Ariel Franck (center) and Katie Kennedy play tug of war with each other's octopus tentacles as their classmate, Liam Mabelitini, lends a fin outside their classroom Wednesday, May 6. The costumes were part of the school's "Dress like your habitat day," which is part of Right to Read Week. Staff photo by Bill Lackey

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By Megan Gildow, Staff Writer Updated 10:56 PM Wednesday, May 6, 2009

NEW CARLISLE — As a first-grade teacher, Robin Morris sees the value of early literacy skills every day.

“It’s the most critical time,” said the New Carlisle elementary teacher. “Kindergarten, first and second grade are those building blocks where we need to reinforce the importance of literacy and the fun it can bring to their life, as well as the information it can bring them.”

Students who fall behind in reading early in life are more likely to drop out of school and to lag in academic achievement, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

But from an early age, some children are disadvantaged when it comes to literacy skills, according to research. Children of illiterate parents are twice as likely to be illiterate adults, and children from poor families will have heard 32 million fewer words than their peers by the age of 4, according to the National Center for Family Literacy.

Schools use activities like Right to Read Week and literacy nights to foster better literacy skills for students and to involve families in the work.

For example, New Carlisle’s Right to Read events this week — with the theme “Make reading a habit at home” — included the traditional fare of wearing special items to school and inviting a storyteller to the building.

But it also incorporated more family-oriented activities like the chance to win a prize by “catching” a teacher reading at the New Carlisle Public Library each night and book bingo Wednesday, May 6, Morris said.

“It’s a great way to get the kids to the library,” she said. “Our library in New Carlisle is just phenomenal. It’s a great way, too, to have the parents see what’s available for them.”

While schools push literacy skills, parents and other adults can have an impact on helping children become avid readers as well, said Morris.

“When kids see us reading and they see parents going to the library and they see parents involved in school ... it makes a difference to the kids,” she said.

Good communication with your child’s teacher can also lead to better reading habits, Morris said.

“In the long run, we’re both here to do what is absolutely best for their kids,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373 or mgildow@coxohio.com.

New Carlisle youths see reading as fun

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