Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success [Paperback]

Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children (Author), M. Susan Burns (Editor), Peg Griffin (Editor), Catherine E. Snow (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 1999

A devastatingly large number of people in America cannot read as well as they need for success in life. With literacy problems plaguing as many as four in ten children in America, this book discusses how best to help children succeed in reading. This book identifies the most important questions and explores the authoritative answers on the topic of how children can grow into readers, including: what are the key elements all children need in order to become good readers? What can parents and caregivers provide all children so that they are prepared for reading instruction by the time that they get to school? What concepts about language and literacy should be included in beginning reading instruction? How can we prevent reading difficulties starting with infants and into the early grades? What to ask school boards, principals, elected officials, and other policy makers who make decisions regarding early reading instruction.You'll find out how to help youngsters build word recognition, avoid comprehension problems, and more - with checklists of specific accomplishments to be expected at different ages: for very young children, for kindergarten students, and for first, second, and third grade students. Included are 55 activities to do with children to help them become successful readers, a list of recommended children's books, and a guide to CD-ROMs and websites. Great strides have been made recently toward identifying the best ways to teach children to read. "Starting Out Right" provides a wealth of knowledge based on a summary of extensive research. It is a 'must read' for specialists in primary education as well as parents, pediatricians, child care providers, tutors, literacy advocates, policy makers, and teachers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This helpful resource book for parents and educators stresses the importance of establishing strong reading skills in early childhood. Editors M. Susan Burns, Peg Griffin and Catherine E. Snow present a thorough guide to building a strong framework for reading, beginning in infancy and continuing through grade three. In each section, the authors offer practical, hands-on activities to share with children that will ignite interest in reading and build skills. Along with the development of specific reading skills, such as phonological and phonemic awareness, the editors explain how new experiences help expand a child's vocabulary. In addition to recommending children's reading activities at home (such as compiling grocery lists, singing songs, telling stories and, of course, reading), the book describes goals that should be reached at various ages (a kindergartner, for instance, should notice when simple sentences don't make sense). In the final section, the editors reveal that most reading problems can be avoided or resolved in the early years and emphasize the importance of a reader-friendly home, day-care and school environment. Parents will find this a comprehensive resource, and it will be especially useful for teachers planning literacy-enhancing classroom activities.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description

A devastatingly large number of people in America cannot read as well as they need for success in life. With literacy problems plaguing as many as four in ten children in America, this book discusses how best to help children succeed in reading. This book identifies the most important questions and explores the authoritative answers on the topic of how children can grow into readers, including:

• What are the key elements all children need in order to become good readers?
  
• What can parents and caregivers provide all children so that they are prepared for reading instruction by the time that they get to school?
  
• What concepts about language and literacy should be included in beginning reading instruction?
  
• How can we prevent reading difficulties starting with infants and into the early grades?
  
• What to ask school boards, principals, elected officials, and other policy makers who make decisions regarding early reading instruction.
  

You'll find out how to help youngsters build word recognition, avoid comprehension problems, and more--with checklists of specific accomplishments to be expected at different ages: for very young children, for kindergarten students, and for first, second, and third grade students. Included are 55 activities to do with children to help them become successful readers, a list of recommended children's books, and a guide to CD-ROMs and websites.

Great strides have been made recently toward identifying the best ways to teach children to read. Starting Out Right provides a wealth of knowledge based on a summary of extensive research. It is a "must read" for specialists in primary education as well as parents, pediatricians, child care providers, tutors, literacy advocates, policy makers, and teachers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: National Academies Press (January 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0309064104
• ISBN-13: 978-0309064101
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Kindergarten Resource, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success (Paperback)

As a Kindergarten teacher, I have found the Starting Out Right book to be one of the best resources that I have ever used in my classroom. The text is very easy to read and very user friendly. The activities are great for any teacher making the changes in education. I only wish that I had found this book years ago. I would recommend this book for any teacher who is teaching reading strategies. In fact, my district is purchasing this book for ALL kindergarten teachers for our personal resource library.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is an amzing and very practical book!, August 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success (Paperback)

this is such a great book if you are looking for a book that gives basic developmental guidelines for reading AND some wonderful activities to do with children! the focus is on children birth to 3rd grade! I absolutely LOVE it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for parents, August 13, 2008

By 

Vanessa Logue (Frisco, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success (Paperback)

My graduate reading professor introduced me to this book and I now purchase it for all my friends as a baby shower gift. This is a wonderful resource for all parents as it gives suggestions for activities that will shape children into readers and writers and prepare them for school. The book is especially good for parents of young children from birth to kindergarten age. Before kids are in classrooms, they typically have 4 to 5 years at home. During that time, the parents are responsible for their education. It is important they understand how crucial their role is in readying their children for the classroom. Homeschooling parents will also find this information valuable!