Reading at Home

Reading at Home

Reading is the most important academic skill and the foundation for all learning. From kindergarten to third grade, children learn to read. After third grade, they read to learn. The best way to support your child's reading development at home is to practice reading. Just like anything else, reading takes practice! 

Linked below is the ACES Reading at Home Plan, adopted from Miami Dade County Public Schools. First and foremost, is setting aside time for your child to read daily. The plan also includes activities and ideas to support your child at home.  Below is an image that explains the importance of reading every night. 

ACES Read at Home Plan - Linked Here!

Daily Reading

Daily practice is key for students to improve as readers. Students in grades K-2 should be reading or read to for 20 minutes daily. Students in grades 3 and up should read for 30 minutes daily. 

If your child struggles to develop a reading routine, join their routine! You can have your student read aloud to you, you can read aloud to your student, or you can read your own book alongside your student. 

Reading at Home

Below are links to news articles and research studies about the importance of reading at home.

Book-A-Palooza

This year, ACES held its first Book-A-Palooza event. The event was held with kindergarten through second-grade families to encourage reading at home. We hope to grow the event even more in future years. 

Find the Book-A-Palooza family handout below that reviews the importance of reading at home with your child and tips for a strong reading routine. 

Book-A-Palooza Family Handout

Additional Resources

Below are additional links to websites and information we recommend to develop a reading routine at home. If you are in need of additional ideas and guidance, you can reach out to your child's ELA teacher and/or their reading interventionists if they are in the RTI program. 

National Center for Improving Literacy

The Parents and Families page published by the National Center for Improving Literacy includes resources with practical ideas to support reading at home.  Below is a link to support our beginning readers at home.

Beginning Reading

National Center on Improving Literacy (2020). Route to Reading: Check for Potholes. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Special Education Programs, National Center on Improving Literacy. Retrieved from http://improvingliteracy.org. 

Florida Department of Education

The Florida Department of Education website includes resources and ideas to support our young readers from infancy through third grade. Resources include tips for reading at home, summer reading tips, and how to be a reading mentor for your child. 

www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/just-read-fl/parents

Online Resources

Below are wonderful resources for parents to support your child's reading development at home.

Reading Rockets Reading 101 - A Guide for Parents: https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-101-guide-parents

Reading Engagement

We know some students are reluctant to read, especially our readers who struggle early on. Often, sometimes it is just about finding the right book. Below you will find suggested local resources to engage your reader as well as published reading lists of award-winning books. 

While sitting down with a good book is the preferred option, students can still engage with literacy skills building vocabulary, background knowledge, and comprehension through other means as well. Below are links to alternative sources to engage your reader to work on these important skills.