September means back-to-school time and we all know back-to-school time has always been exciting for children, for staff and for parents. It's a time to meet new friends and new teachers, and resume the adventure of learning. But, as Secretary of Education Riley recently said, "Back-to-school time is not just for kids anymore." If our schools are going to do the job we expect them to do, everyone must pitch in and help. Schools today can't do the job alone - and you, as parents, are key to the effort!

Parents can serve both as teachers and role models in reading. There are a number of steps that parents can take to help prepare even young children to become readers and to support the reading habit once they're in school.

No Child is Too Young

Children develop much of their capacity for learning in the first three years of life, when their brains grow to 90 percent of their eventual weight. As parents talk, sing and read to children, the child's brain cells are literally turned on. Young children who are exposed to certain experiences usually prove to be good readers later. By cooing, singing lullabies, or reading aloud to a baby, toddler, or preschooler, parents stimulate their children's developing minds and help build the potential for good literacy skills.

Talk with your children

This sounds routine, but by talking to young children, you'll help their minds develop a stronger base for learning! The more words your child knows, the easier it will be for them to read. Counting, playing number games, and learning letter names and shapes are all key factors in learning to read. In the grocery store, tell your child about a few products. Tell your child stories about your childhood. When doing something at home, explain as you go. Make it fun, and don't worry about telling the perfect story! Children who hear more words at home, enter school better prepared, and therefore, achieve more.

Try to Set Aside 30 Minutes a Day for Reading

If daily reading begins in infancy, by the time the child is five years old, he or she has been fed roughly 900 hours of brain food! Decreasing the amount of reading from once a day to once a week cuts that to only 130 hours. If you aren't available, maybe grandma, grandpa, an aunt or uncle, or even a neighbor can fill in.

Reading good books, singing songs and telling nursery rhymes count, too. Reading aloud to young children is so critical that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors prescribe reading activities along with other advice given to parents at regular check-ups. It also helps parents and children spend loving moments together!

The Television is a Powerful Barrier to Raising Readers

A challenge for parents this year might be to think about choosing books over televison. Children of all ages watch as much television in one day as they read for fun in an entire week. The average elementary student spends two hours, ten minutes each day watching TV - more than one-quarter of their free time. Conversely, young children spend only one hour and 25 minutes reading each week, and the reading habit tends to decline with age: children ages 6-12 spend about 10 minutes less than that.

A Special Place For Reading

Homes with reading and writing materials - such as books, newspapers, writing paper, pencils and crayons - create more opportunities to develop literacy. Designate a special place in your home as the "reading corner." Also, seek out child care providers who can spend time talking with and reading to your child, who make trips to the library or have a designated reading area for children.

Finally, consider giving books or magazines as presents or in recognition of special achievements.

Enthusiasm about books and reading can be shared between a parent and child and deepen the child's interest in learning to read. No parent can do it all, but schools can't do it alone, either. Try as many of these tips as you feel comfortable with. You'll be giving your child a wonderful foundation for a lifetime of reading pleasure!