| They say that Abraham Lincoln was a self-taught | | | | child a quality book that is comfortable at his |
| man. He read through the entire Bible and any | | | | reading level and then the next book should be |
| other books he could get his hands on. This | | | | one level up from there, enough to challenge him |
| speaks volumes about the importance of reading. | | | | a bit. |
| If you could do nothing else for your child, | | | | Alternate and mix things up a bit in this fashion |
| educationally-speaking, it should be to develop a | | | | while gradually advancing the overall difficulty level. |
| strong, voracious reader. | | | | Develop a list of books that you know are good |
| Once a child has mastered reading and is | | | | quality literature on the subjects you are wanting |
| continually challenged with diverse and increasingly | | | | to cover with your child and don't forget to throw |
| difficult selections, he can successfully educate | | | | some in some just for fun reading as well, and |
| himself about almost anything simply through | | | | then let your child choose the books from this list |
| reading. What an amazing concept - reading | | | | to make up his reading syllabus for the year. It |
| teaches your child how to teach himself! Producing | | | | will give your child a sense of control instead of |
| this type of a reader takes some careful planning | | | | "mom's making me read this." |
| however. I have found that modern literature that | | | | Putting it all together |
| is aimed at children is quite often "dumbed-down" | | | | If you decide to make your homeschooling |
| and assumes that we shouldn't tax our children's | | | | program literature-based,here are some good |
| brains too much - what a silly notion! Challenging | | | | places to look for planning inspiration. |
| our children to think hard while reading is a good | | | | - Sonlight Curriculum: I have never purchased a |
| thing. It exercises the mind, broadens ones | | | | curriculum package from them but they are a |
| vocabulary and improves their writing and | | | | great resource for helping choose books. Browse |
| communication skills. | | | | through their selections by grade level to get |
| Tips on Forming a Strong Reader | | | | ideas |
| Limit television, computer and video game time | | | | - Beautiful Feet: They provide literature-based unit |
| (we have a weekends only rule in our house, for | | | | studies. |
| instance). I cannot stress enough how important | | | | - Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson: This |
| this is. Not only will your child choose video or TV | | | | reference gives a listing of books divided by |
| over reading, because they are instant | | | | subject (historical fiction, fantasy, literature, etc.) |
| gratification and require no serious thinking, but | | | | and also reading level. |
| too much electronic entertainment, especially in a | | | | I also like to use as it has good descriptions of |
| developing brain, is proven to be detrimental to | | | | books and helpful recommendations of other |
| developing good reading skills. Give your child a | | | | books that might interest you. Take the time to |
| mix of books to read at different reading levels. | | | | form a competent, strong reader and your child |
| If all of the books you give your child are very | | | | will easily be tackling Shakespeare, Herman Melville |
| challenging, he may get too frustrated and not | | | | and G.K. Chesterton in their highschool years and |
| want to read at all. It is a good idea to give your | | | | thanking you for it. |