At the end of story time, just before we check out library books, my kindergartners and first graders clap their hands and sing with me.  . (song available on www.jacquelinejules.com)

It’s a ditty I made up with the expressed purpose of creating an ear worm—a repetitive phrase to loop in my kids’ heads and share with their parents. Many of the students I teach come from low-income families. Reading at bedtime may be something the adults in their lives haven’t even considered, with all the demands of making a living wage. But if a child remembers to ask, there is at least hope.

All the research shows that reading aloud is the single most important thing a parent can do to help a child develop the skills needed to succeed in school. The American Academy of Pediatrics also firmly supports reading aloud to children from the age of six months, saying it stimulates brain development. http://www.aap.org/family/readmeastory.htm

Teachers see a huge difference in the background knowledge of a child who reads at home and a child who does not. How can teachers combat a home environment devoid of a bedtime reading routine? Parent outreach is one way--inviting parents to come to literacy workshops where training is provided. But, too often, the parents who most need this discussion are not present. The next step is to indoctrinate the child. Teach your students to ASK to be read aloud to. I know it can be disheartening. Children will say emphatically, “My mom is too busy.” or “Dad won’t.” Teach your students to ask anyway. If they ask, at least there’s hope.

Jacqueline Jules—author, poet, librarian.

www.jacquelinejules.com