More Reading = Better Grades

Join The Early Readers

(CBS)  Experts agree that kids who read throughout the summer maintain the literacy skills that they developed in school, while those who do not read often slide backward on skills.

To avoid this "summer slide," have your children join The Early Readers Club, which kicked off Wednesday with first lady Laura Bush.

Mrs. Bush says, “Don't let your children sit and watch television or play outside all summer without reading one book. Because if you do that, when you start school in the fall, the skills have dropped and they have to start all over, learning to read.”

Throughout the summer, The Early Show will provide some tips to make reading fun and offer readings on the General Motors Plaza by celebrated children's authors.

From the Diplomatic Reception Room, which features a panoramic wallpaper called "Views of North America," Mrs. Bush read to kids, “Book! Book! Book!” by Deborah Bruss and Barney made a special appearance.

Mrs. Bush says, “The most important thing about reading to your own child is you show them that reading is important, but also, when you take that time to put your arm around them and read to them, show them that they're important.”

Mrs. Bush says she loves to read because her mother read to her every day. Now, she advises parents to do the same. She has launched her "Ready to Read, Ready to Learn" education initiative in February 2001 with two major goals: To ensure that all young children are ready to read and learn when they enter their first classroom; and to ensure that once there, children have well-trained, quality teachers, especially in impoverished neighborhoods.

Mrs. Bush notes it is important to read to children from the time they are 6 months old. She adds, “The children who have been read to for all those years before they start school, start school with a much larger vocabulary. They start school ready to learn to read. Children who haven't been read to, who have never held a book, who don't know the way to hold a book, who don't realize that you read from left to right, start school at a huge disadvantage.”

The first lady also is involved in the Reach Out and Read (ROR) program. She explains, “It's a pediatric program that doctors across the country have become involved in. That's where doctors prescribe reading to parents and children. It adds a whole authority of the medical community to the fact that children need to be read to when they're little.”

In October, the first lady will talk about the National Book Festival at the Library of Congress. So stay tuned!

Mrs. Bush says, “I love the book festival. It's a wonderful day on the United States Capitol grounds when all of the focus of Washington turns to authors and reading and books. All those people who love to read line up to meet their favorite authors and hear them talk or hear them read from their work. So I want to encourage people to come to Washington that weekend, Oct. 4, to the National Book Festival.”

Here is a letter from Mrs. Bush about reading:

"As a child, I loved listening to my mother read to me. Little did I know that she was doing much more than providing comfort and entertainment; she was paving the way for my learning and success in school. Research tells us that the early language experiences and education we provide our children shape the way they think and learn. The quality of these experiences affects a child's enthusiasm for learning, ability to interact with others and success in school. Though many children grow up hearing a broad vocabulary and being read to from infancy, others enter school without knowing the names of letters or how to count. For these children, reading and learning can be a struggle. If they are unable to overcome this obstacle, their loss affects all of society. Our challenge is to reach all children early so that every child starts school with the skills needed to learn. Once they are in the classroom, our children deserve excellent teachers and a high-quality education. As a mother and former public school teacher and librarian, I believe we all have a duty to help our children achieve success. And I am proud to join President Bush in his goal to make America's schools the best they can be."

On a personal note, Mrs. Bush says she is currently reading "The Rules Of Silence" by David Lindsey and “Atonement” by Ian McEwan.