Many communities in California are celebrating Child Literacy Month in November.  I hope that you will use this yearly celebration as a time to recommit yourself to reading to a child.

Reading aloud to children helps them to build a strong vocabulary and a love for reading that will help them to succeed in school and in life. Many experts agree on some simple guidelines for reading to children, including:

• Start slowly.  Younger children or children new to reading may sit still for only very short times, so start slowly and work up to longer stories.
• As children age and become accustomed to longer stories, work on setting a goal of reading to your child for about thirty minutes total each day.
• Make stories interesting by emphasizing points and by changing your voice for different characters or moods.
• Interact with your child as you read.  Ask them questions both to engage them and to check for understanding.
• Pick books that are appropriate for the child’s age.  For infants, opt for simple, colorful books. Preschoolers often prefer books that are repetitive or rhyming.

Each year, about a third of all children entering kindergarten begin school lacking the language skills that they need to learn to read.  These children often come from families where books are not present or where adults do not read.

Almost all public libraries have extensive children’s book collections, with staff who can help you pick books that are best for your children.  And many offer children’s reading hours with great stories told by great storytellers.  I encourage you to get involved with one of these programs and to celebrate Child Literacy Month by making it a daily practice to read to a child.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator