In case we underestimate the significant role that a family plays in a child's education, we need only remind ourselves that: 1) in any calendar year, children and adolescents spend fewer days attending school than otherwise engaged, and 2) during the first two years of life (considered by many experts to be the most critical for a child's learning), virtually all the education occurs at home. These realities underline the importance of the home and family, both in laying out the foundation for life-long learning, and for supporting and strengthening the child's school experience. A good start and a continued emphasis on reading are central to helping a child build and maintain a strong base.

The summer months, in particular, present a perfect opportunity for parents to help their children -- both pre-school and school-aged -- develop the skills and interest to become better readers and students. By limiting (or eliminating) the amount of television watching and video game playing, parents allow more time for unstructured play, organized activities, family time, home-related responsibilities, and daily reading.

In "Patterns of Reading Practice" (published by the Institute for Academic Excellence -- IAE), author Terrance D. Paul asserts that schools are not providing enough time each day for students to practice reading. Paul's research found that the difference in practice time is the major factor in explaining the difference in student achievement in reading. While this is hardly surprising, it is worth considering as parents plan the role reading will play in their child's summer schedule.

The IAE recommends that schools provide sixty minutes of in-school reading practice time each day. This recommendation is stated strongly: "every student has a right to sixty minutes of TWI time per day. (TWI stands for T=Read to, W=Read with, I=Read independently)." I believe that similar minimum guidelines should be observed by parents and children in June, July, and August. The balance of time that parents "read to" or "read with" their child versus the amount of time that the child spends "reading independently" will vary with the age and skill level of the child. But there is clearly a role for family read-aloud time for children of all ages. (I highly recommend Jim Trelease's The Read-Aloud Handbook for further elucidation of this point, as well as its lists of excellent recommendations).

What are the obstacles for parents to overcome in establishing an hour a day for family reading? There are many, including the appeal of alternative mediums such as television and video games, adult fatigue after a day of work, and finally, child resistance ("I'm on vacation!"). But I believe that the major one is a lack of parents' understanding the importance of their role in educating their child. Parents who are convinced of the value of their persistence in this reading work will be more willing to stay the course despite these obstacles.

A few years ago, a parent commented to me that he felt like he, not the school, was teaching his child to read. He was expressing his frustration that he was having to spend a great deal of time each day reading to or with his child. I congratulated him on his willingness to do this work, and emphasized that, in my opinion, parents are more important than the school in developing strong readers. This belief is not in any way to absolve the school of its responsibility in educating every child. But families who demonstrate to their children from birth that reading is a high priority form a partnership with schools, a partnership that is powerfully positive for their children.

An admissions director of a competitive college in New England was asked by an applicant's parents what advice he would give to them to help their child score well on the college board tests (SATs). He responded simply, "Read to your child every day from birth." Even beginning today, parents can make a difference in their child's learning and reading; to help is not expensive and requires no special equipment or training. What is essential is the commitment of time and care. And the most important benefit of such parent involvement has nothing to do with raising SAT scores. Rather this shared experience helps to engender a respect for learning and to strengthen the bonds between parent and child that last a lifetime.

Thomas A. Northrup
Headmaster