Here’s a fact that might surprise you: the stronger your child’s reading skills are today, the more likely she is to be a healthy adult.
It’s true. In fact, strong reading skills are tied to several factors that add up to a life well-lived. And those skills start developing from the moment your baby is born.
That’s why Nemours Children’s Health System introduced ReadingBrightStart.org. It’s a free online resource for parents of children up to five years old, designed to help you build a strong foundation for future reading skills.
Here’s what you’ll find at ReadingBrightStart.org:
- Reading milestones for eight age groups. Your six-month-old probably isn’t writing his name yet, and that’s a good thing. Check the homepage, and you’ll see that “places objects in his or her mouth” actually counts as a motor skill that leads to reading readiness. As your child grows, you can return to the checklist again and again. And remember, all children grow and learn differently, so if your child’s skills don’t exactly match up with what’s on the screen, don’t panic.
- Tons of book recommendations, and tips for reading them with your child. Turns out, quality reading is all about the little things: pointing to words as you read them, letting your child turn the pages of his favorite book, or talking about the pictures on the cover. Recommended books – along with expert reading tips – are organized by age, so you can make sure your child is getting the most out of each book. You’ll find classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon, and new favorites like Dig! and The Pout-Pout Fish.
- A FREE Preschool Reading Screener for parents of kids 3-5. If you’re wondering whether your child’s on track for reading success, this quick 31-question screening tool can help. The series of yes-or-no questions gives you instant results, as well as a free plan for moving forward, and recommendations for sharing any concerns with your child’s pediatrician or teacher. And since the tool is free, you can re-take the screener at four- to six-month intervals, just to check on your child’s progress.
- Easy, free and fun activities that build reading readiness. Go ahead, use shaving cream to write letters on the windows. Or build a baby obstacle course out of boxes and stuffed animals. ReadingBrightStart.org’s At-Home Activity section offers dozens of activities to help your child nail concepts like letter knowledge and oral language. The best part? Everything’s fun–you’ll never feel like you’re quizzing your child. Many of the activities are designed to fit into your everyday routine, like when you’re riding in the car together or shopping for groceries.
- Articles and updates for parents. If you’re wondering how technology affects reading development, or how to choose books at the library or bookstore, ReadingBrightStart.org has the answers–and then some. The Articles for Parents section of the site is like your own personal library of early literacy insight. And because all the information comes from Nemours experts, you know it’s advice you can trust.
No matter how you choose to use the site, you can’t go wrong. Encouraging a love for reading in your child is one of the most important things you can do to ensure her happiness, well-being, and most important, her health.
Thank you to Nemours Reading BrightStart! for sponsoring this post. The Nemours Reading BrightStart! Awareness Campaign is supported by a grant from The Chartrand Family Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.
