What does reading books do for my child?

Does your child read 15-20 minutes a day? Does your child enjoy having you read to them?

Studies show that kids who read everyday for 15-20 minutes a day have significant gains in their reading skills. According to kidkonnect.com, here are just a few of the developmental gains kids can make from reading 20 minutes a day:

• It exposes the child to at least 1.8 million words per school year!

• Score higher in standardized tests

• Reading books helps develop writing skills through a bigger vocabulary. Persuasive and figurative writing skills improve from reading samples of those type of texts.

• "Reading daily can help to strengthen a child’s imagination, introducing them to concepts, cultures, and possibilities beyond their own life experience. They can learn about the world, stimulate their curiosity, and give them a better understanding of other people’s lives."

• Creativity increases, they become aware that writing can be enjoyable and profitable!

• Reading with a parent at bedtime is very relaxing. Maybe it's just the thing your student needs to wind down for the night!

• Empathy is an important skill in today's society and reading about kindness and compassion are great examples to kids.

This year in the media center, we will have the Viking Reading Challenge! Each month, I will send out the newsletter with links where you can download and print the reading challenges and the reading log. There will be 2 links, one for Kindergarten -2nd grade and then a link for 3rd-6th grade. I will also have copies available in the media center.

Once you have your copy of the reading log and the Challenges, initial each challenge as you finish them and then return them to me, Mrs. Tullis on the last day of the month.

What's My Reward?

Each month you (the student) will get:

• Your picture on the wall that recognizes your achievement. Instead of multiple pictures, you'll get special stickers to put on your frame.

• A Bookmark

• A Certificate to take home to your family.

• Prizes out of the prize box.

• A free gently-used or new book.

I hope you enjoy getting to read more with your child!