You've Heard This Before: Read to Your Child

An extraneous idea with this

We have had simple inexpensive cassette tape recorders since the 1970's and I do believe that one of the greatest potentials for them has been mostly missed by us users, that of recording our own voices reading things out loud.

Imagine not only reading to your child with animation and interaction, but also flipping the out-of-sight recorder on while you do it. Imagine being able to replay the same books to your pre-school child a few more times with him or her hearing his or her own voice and questions and chatter. Reinforcement!

Imagine having a few of those tapes 20 years from now. Better than photos?

Imagine kids getting used to being recorded, perhaps learning not to be nervous or ashamed about it. Imagine them later recording themselves reading things and learning how to improve their own vocal poise and interpretation. Imagine middle-schoolers getting hooked on a fad of reading textbook sections into tapes and exchanging with friends---for novelty AND repetition of content. Yes, read to your kid----and teach your kid to read to the microphone.

Reading is the key to success!

I was unaware of the ROR Program. I wonder why. Perhaps because I do not subscribeto a major newspaper.

I am 81 years old. Years ago, with a painful low-back, I spent much time lying on the floor. My two yougest daughters would very often come with a book and the demand that I read. So I read. I don't remember discussing any of the stories with them. I didn't know at the time that I was helping them to become better readers.

I believe that English should be our official language in this country. It is, after all, the language required for any kind of upward mobility.

Federal, State and Local governments along with the many School Districts spend billions on education. In spite of the huge expense, and according to recent reports, our schools are turning out thousands of failures. Students, who graduate from HIgh School and are considered illiterate.

We have programs to subsidize University enrollments when what students really needed most was assistance when they were in the First Grade. Politicians and School Boards seem to have it all backwards.

We need to understand that the parents have the primary responsibility to ensure that the children are educated. Reading to them is a good beginning.

Improve reading

I retired as chief engineer in Mission Success of an Aerospace Corporation, and having taken Elelyn Wood speed reading course for the second time, and reading about 1000 wpm, I have taught reading as a consultant in several schools in Denver. I started with my grand son's grade school and followed him through high school.

I am pleased to inform the readers herein that with the help of other faculty members, I had kids in the third grade reading the USA Today news paper. I chose the USA because the columns are smaller and most boys like the sports section, while girls may like the Life section, or others.These were kids in the inner city from poor White, Hispanic, and Black environments, with more than 50% obtaining free or reduced lunch.

By coincidence, I purchased the book "Beginning to read," by Marylyn Jager Adams from MIT, and used it as a guide. Also I purchased a large book, about two feet by 1 foot, whose font is about 14 or 16. Through repitition, seeing pictures and phonics, most of the kids were reading out loud in a few exercises, using their hand and mine, pointing to each word. Then I went to a smaller book with the same material, same type letters but smaller font. Again most of the kids were above average readers in less than a month's time.

I realize this technique on a small group of kids is time consuming and costly, but the results are astounding. Parents and teachers may consider using this process or facsimile. Many years ago I asked my wife's neice 6 years old to read to me. She said, "I'm going to school to learn to read." I was quite concerned, because we go to school to enhance our reading. Reading begins at home.