Reading

Reading is the single most important skill you learn in school.

And learning to read is a highly individualized process. There is no one right age to start at, speed to go, or approach to use. The only thing that's consistent is that it is best done one-on-one, not in a classroom setting.

Reading education can be divided into two parts: Learning the Skills, and Learning to Read.

Unfortunately, "experts" have decided these are two mutually exclusive "approaches" to learning, often called "phonics" and "whole language." Phonics focuses on necessary skills to decode letters, words, sentences. Whole language focuses on language in a natural setting (nobody actually speaks the way early readers write: "See Spot Run."), emphasizing the flow of speech, word recognition without sounding out (like fluent readers do), and enjoying literature. It is valuable to keep in mind that THESE ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE. Use them both. Do not neglect the skills, and do not teach your children that reading is boring or detached from language. Have them read, and read to them.

What I learned from teaching Middle School English for eight years and being a librarian for two is that traditional reading education, using either approach, teaches children that reading is tedious and boring. Even good readers don't want to read.

So I recommend that you focus from early in your schooling on two things: mastering the skills so that reading is easy, and reading things that your CHILD likes (in other words, NOT the "classics." Skip the classics until later--like college. In fact, there is a great deal of debate about what constitutes a classic anyway.)

But where to start? I recommend the BOB books. (Get them free at the library.) They are the only early readers I've found that actually start at the beginning and go slowly, step by step, without skipping anything.

If you want a reader who can understand the classics as an adult, read things that are fun in the K-8 years. Captain Underpants. Nonfiction on a subject they are interested in. Comic books. Ghost stories. Genre fiction like mysteries, westerns, sci-fi, or fantasy. Scripts of plays, TV shows, or movies. Newspapers. Magazines. Cookbooks. Reviews of movies or books that are coming out. Trivia online about computer games (did you know there is an entire encyclopedia of Mario-related things?) or movies (see iMDB). Take them to the library and walk through the nonfiction section with them--almost everyone will eventually find something that sparks their interest. Many students just don't like fiction.

For a list of award-winning books, check the Association for Library Services for Children.

As a novelist AND teacher, I can tell you that kids can learn as much or more about literature (plot, character, setting, etc) from reading the "plot" of their favorite computer game (yes, even Super Mario Brothers) as they can from being force-fed a dull or depressing novel they don't like. And, surprisingly, kids absorb all the concepts of literary criticism and fine writing by themselves when they are allowed to read what they enjoy.

If your child absolutely refuses to read, read to them. Eventually they will catch the bug. But read them things they want to know about. Read them their assignments. Read picture books--reading-wise, they aren't for beginners. Plus, they're quick, expose children to art (some of it exceptional), and help children develop an understanding of the elements of literature.

And then make sure they have the skills they need so that reading is easy, they don't need glasses, and they don't have a disorder (like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or ADHD) that makes reading extremely unpleasant even if they have the skills down. If you need suggestions of books, ask your local librarian.