Is Your Kid Reading Well enough?

Thousands of schools across the US are responding to the reading and math testing requirements laid out in No Child Left Behind, President Bush's signature education law, by reducing class time spent on other subjects and, for some low-proficiency students, eliminating it.

About 125 of the school's lowest-performing students are barred from taking anything except math, reading and gym, a measure that Samuel Harris, a former lieutenant colonel in the Army who is the school's principal, said was draconian but necessary. "When you look at a kid and you know he can't read, that's a tough call you've got to make," Mr. Harris said.(NY Times, March26,2006)

Test your kid to see if his reading is appropriate to his age level. This can easily be done with the Five Finger Test the Librarians usually suggest to select a book for your child. See if the book that you select using this method is prescribed for his/her age group. Secondly there are tests like Schonell Reading Test that can help you with a more accurate assessment.

Now comes the tricky part, how do you make them read and write a little more willingly?

The love for reading and writing comes to certain kids naturally. But the others can be conditioned to learn those skills quite effectively. If they have an aversion to the traditional media like paper and books, try the net. It works for “Todays Computer Savvy Generation”

There are a lot of safe sites for kids on the Worldwide Web. There are a few that also allow them to practice their writing skills. The normal mundane book reviews and narration take on a rather colorful look in these sites.

The Amazing Story Club is a one such award winning non-commercial website that offers all this and much more free. So get the mouse clicking and the pencils writing.