Publication: Starting Out Right: A guide to promoting children's reading success

• Burns, M.
• Griffin, Peg
• Snow, Catherine
• Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children

LCCN: 98-25492

Great strides have been made recently toward identifying
the best ways to teach children to read. This book provides
a wealth of knowledge based on a summary of extensive
research. It is a "must read" for specialists in primary
education as well as parents, pediatricians, child care
providers, tutors, literacy advocates, policy makers, and
teachers. The book identifies the most important questions
and explores the authoritative answers on the topic of how
children can grow into readers, including: What are the key
elements all children need in order to become good readers?
What can parents and caregivers provide all children so
that they are prepared for reading instruction by the time
that they get to school? What concepts about language and
literacy should be included in beginning reading
instruction? How can we prevent reading difficulties
starting with infants and into the early grades? What to
ask school boards, principals, elected officials, and other
policy makers who make decisions regarding early reading
instruction. You'll find out how to help youngsters build
word recognition, avoid comprehension problems, and
more:with checklists of specific accomplishments to be
expected at different ages: for very young children, for
kindergarten students, and for first, second, and third
grade students. Included are 55 activities to do with
children to help them become successful readers, a list of
recommended children's books, and a guide to CD-ROMs and
websites. 

Contents:  Introduction -- Growing up to read : birth
through age four -- Becoming real readers : kindergarten
through grade three -- Preventing reading difficulties. 
Includes bibliographical references and index.