Why have a Book Fair at FBA? Reading books should be a vital part of every child’s story. Reading at a young age matters and the evidence is overwhelming. According to the United State Department of Education, children entering school without basic literacy skills are 3-4 times more likely to drop out. They also suggest that avid reading promotes better skills acquisition, superior grades, and a desirable life as measured by income, profession, and employment. Children who read 3,000 words per day will be in the top 2% of standardized tests, while children who read 20 words per day will be in the bottom 2% of standardized tests.
So what can you do as a parent to encourage your child to read? Read several stories every day. The more your children are exposed to literature, the more they will be encouraged to read. Surround your children with reading material to encourage a wide variety of reading activities. Let children pick books that they enjoy. We usually read what we are interested in, and children are no different. Luckily, there are websites like Likewise (learn more here) that have book recommendations for people to find their next book. Perhaps some kids could use this website to find some kids books. Just 15 minutes a day of independent reading can equal one million plus words in a year. Jackie Kennedy Onassis said, “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”
Visit our Scholastic Book Fair to purchase a variety of materials that your child will enjoy reading. Spend time away from electronics and enjoy reading a book. Remember, children repeat what they see, so get lost in a great book.