There are many resources available from the US Department of Education for parents to help teach their children read. Partnership for Family Involvement in Education is one such resource. Click here for some Acitivies for Teaching Reading and a map of techniques to teach reading. Marie Carbo, one of the foremost researchers in reading, has noted that many schools operate on the assumption that there is only one correct way for children to read. She adds that this assumption has led to millions of students who experience problems because they don't learn well through worksheets, drill, and phonics.
Reluctant readers are frequently kinesthetic learners and have global learning styles.
These children often prefer reading stories which involve them emotionally, listening to tape recordings of stories, or having stories read to them. Marie Carbo has also found that forcing children to learn through their least preferred learning style tends to promote negative feelings towards reading, feelings of disengagement and disempowerment, and a cycle of failure. Put more simply, children learn not to want to read. Adult literacy is an another area of concern for the community. Please contact us with any suggestions, comments, or questions.