Be an active parent, read to your children

To the editor:

Regarding the Oct. 4 article 'Between the Lines”:

Parents can teach their child to read with the basic skills of patience and determination. Even single parents or those who work two jobs (such as myself) can provide all kinds of reading opportunities - books, magazines, comics, games, road signs and even limited computer use that requires reading or typing, not just playing. Find a topic of interest - dogs, sports, Star Wars, whatever, and read about that.

Writing and spelling develops reading as well. Write and receive letters. Make posters. Get a pen pal. Strangely, the spelling words in the article did not make sense for a struggling reader. There were no common groupings ('word families”), similar blends, consonant sounds or endings. I only know this because I taught my once-struggling fourth-grader to read.

Read to your children - there are thousands of free books at the library. There are many free or low-cost reading programs online.

You are your child's first and best teacher. Put down the phone and turn off the TV. An involved parent's patient, non-judgmental, consistent interaction, even just 10 minutes a day, can improve a child's reading.

Sadly, the only mention of parents in the article is that of being those who put their child on a bus, pay taxes, work too much or are homeless, but truly any parent's gentle and loving encouragement will develops a child's self-worth and promotes an intrinsic motivation that can lead to developing a strong and smart lifelong reader.

Wendy Hartman

Cedar Rapids