Nemours BrightStart! and Partners Help Parents Prepare Children to Become Strong Readers

Nemours BrightStart! has partnered with Kaplan Early Learning Company and Gryphon House Books, a publisher of early childhood resources, to produce A Parent’s Guide to Reading Readiness and the Nemours BrightStart! Milestone Map. These two new resources can help parents build their child’s reading readiness.

One-third of the nation’s fourth graders score below the basic level in reading. While this can be frightening to think about, it’s also true that nearly all children can become successful readers. This is especially true when a child’s risk of developing reading problems is found early, and when the best science-based methods are used to teach reading.

A Parent’s Guide to Reading Readiness, written by Nemours BrightStart! experts, gives parents of children ages 3 - 5 information on how to support their child on his or her reading journey. Full of invaluable advice, the book includes a checklist of reading readiness skills for pre-kindergartners, lists of children’s books to read aloud, and fun activities to do at home to prepare children to learn to read.

The Nemours BrightStart! Milestone Map is a full-color illustrated poster featuring reading readiness milestones and warning signs—indications that children might be at risk for reading challenges—for children from birth through age six. By tracking children with this simple map, parents can be sure their children are keeping up with their peers, and take action if they begin to notice warning signs.

Since 2005, the goal of Nemours BrightStart! has been to put children on the road to reading success from the earliest possible age by providing leadership, advocacy, research and services to reduce the effects of dyslexia and reading failure. Nemours BrightStart! is dedicated to helping struggling readers become strong readers by involving parents from the very start. To learn more about their advocacy and prevention efforts, go to Nemours BrightStart!.