Family Focus

What you'll find here.

• Reading With your Child
  The most effective way to help your child become a proficient reader is to read aloud together, early and often. Reading with preschool children provides a foundation of vocabulary and skills necessary in developing the ability to read. Read-aloud sessions allow parents to: model correct reading skills, lead students into more complex reading material, and foster a love of reading in children.
• Developing Reading Readiness in Preschoolers
  Techniques for preparing your preschool-age child to learn to read, picture book booklists, links to early childhood education sites.
• Building Reading Skills in First through Third Graders
  Techniques for encouraging beginning readers, booklists of leveled readers and beginning reader books, links to children's reading sites.
• Building Skills in Fourth through Sixth Graders
  Links to book lists on various topics, chapter books, and leveled readers. Ideas for helping your student prepare for middle school, test-taking and homework suggestions. Links to children's science and academic subject sites.
• Helping your Teenager with Reading Skills
  Ideas for spurring interest in young teenagers, links to book lists for teens.
• Developing Self Esteem in a New Reader
  Ideas for developing self confidence new readers.
• Helping your Child Succeed in School
  Suggestions for parents about communicating with teachers. Ways to support your student with homework skills, test-taking strategies, and behavior issues.
• Learning about Learning Disabilities
  Information about Dyslexia and other learning disabilities. What is a learning disability? What testing is available to diagnose learning disabilities? What strategies can my child use to help him or her succeed despite a learning disability? Links to sites with current research and information about learning disabilities.
• Reading Games and Activites
  Games for teaching the sounds of letters, reading comprehension, spelling skills, and other reading activites.

Here are some useful links for families:

• Learning Disabilities on Line
• Misunderstood Minds
• Parent's Guide to Helping Kids with Learning Disabilities
• U.S. Department of Education/Especially for Parents