Improve My Child's Reading Skills Using Background Knowledge and Experiences

Specific types of educational experiences providedachievement.
for children by both parents and educators, fromPARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT
preschool through high school, can make a significantSpecific experiences provided by parents, at every
difference in children's reading ability as young adults.grade level were clearly related to adult literacy levels.
Two national studies have recently confirmed theResults indicated that if parents expect their children
particular home, school, and extracurricularto become literate adults, then they must provide
experiences that positively affect an individual'sguidelines for their behavior and encourage
reading achievement throughout their educationalparticipation in reading and reading related activities,
experiences.at least through high school.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLING EXPERIENCESFor example, having house rules, chores, a consistent
In regard to elementary schooling experiences inhomework schedule, providing various types of
general, the RDF Study (Siegel, 1987; 1990) foundliterature in the house, and taking their child to the
that those students who took grade level classeslibrary or bookstore, museum, and educational
and avoided remedial classes and/or repeating grades,outings, were all shown to contribute to the level of
had higher achievement levels than those who dida student's high school reading achievement.
not.Moreover, parental expectations in regard to
Those students who spent more time in writingstudents' educational successes are extremely
stories or papers, doing math problems, readingimportant.
books, doing science projects, and/or working onClearly, your child's academic experiences and home
spelling and language lessons had good schoollife play a crucial role in future reading comprehension
attendance records and high levels of readingskills.