How to Raise a Child to Become a Good Reader.

Jim Trelease is a Read-Aloud expert and speaker and according to him, the "Meaningful Difference" (click on the link) between Rich, Middle class and Poor children
http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/

by the age of 4 was how many words they heard their parents speak. There is a cool graph to see the dramatic difference. So keep reading aloud.

My tip for you is to go to the library and get some books on tapes (the ones that come with the books in small plastic bag). That way you can put the tape on and listen along with the story and follow the words. Then after once or twice or whatever You can read the book to your children. Keep them on your lap. You want to instill a sense of love and bonding so they associate those good feelings with every time they pick up a book. I agree that your English sounds great.

I have a girlfriend whose left Argentina at age 6. Her Spanish accent is worse than mine. I was too afraid to speak Spanish to my children (they know almost zero) b/c they'd learn it "wrong" b/c I didn't have enough words. She did not care and said to herself, she'd learn alongside with them. Her children's Spanish is PERFECT and it's shocking!

Keep on doing what you are doing and have faith in yourself!

Also, you can go to your local library and check out free books on tape/CD that include the matching book. So, the tape or CD player can also read the book while you and your child hold it and follow.

Also, just setting an example of reading for yourself in your leisure time shows kids that reading is fun and not just for school.

Oh, I forgot...check out this Placentia Library website for Tumble Books.

http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/book_details.asp?C...

You can read and follow along on tons of kids books online for free.

Get them excited about books. Visit bookstores and libraries. Buy or checkout books they enjoy. Lastly, read your children your favorite Japanese children's books in Japanese. That's a great cultural and linguistic education for them.

Best wishes!

R.,

READ, READ, READ!!! you are already ahead of the game wanting to set the example for your children. it doesn't matter what you read, as long as you are reading w/your kids. and why not read to them in japanese? i wish i knew two languages. :) you're kids are lucky to have a mom who cares about reading to them.

L. :)

Hello R.,
My Mother doesn't speak or read English very well so it was quite a surprise when my Brother & I began meeting other children & realized we weren't speaking the same language! However, children are quick to learn & in no time we were both speaking and reading English with ease.

Your English seems to be pretty good, so I wouldn't worry too much about the words you don't understand (you can always look them up online or in a dictionary &/or make a story up as you flip the pages). They will be picking those books up and reading to you before you know it.

Good luck!
W.

I am a teacher and I have worked with many parents with the same issue. I always recommend books on tape or on CD. Barnes and Noble has a special section in the children's area just for this. Also, the public library has A LOT of this kind of material. I don't know how old your children are but they have picture books and chapter books on tape. While you follow along with your children follow your fingers under the words. Stop every now and then and discuss what is happening in the story. Also, model reading in home. Just by reading the newspaper or a good book, models the importance of reading in your home. If your children are school age you can ask your child's teacher if she has anything she has that can help you support your child in school. Most public libraries also have the school's curriculum materials so you can review with your child at home.

I think you are on your way to supporting your children's reading progress just by asking the question. Make reading a fun event in your house that your children look forward to. Don't make it a chore or a punishment! Also, I can't tell you how important it is to help your children learn your language too. Studies show that children who can speak, read, and write in two or more languages do better in school. Read to your children in Japanese!

Hope this helps!
P.S. Also a great website for learning to read is www.starfall.com
I use this website with my own children and in my classroom!

Why not read in Japanese to your kid? Children are able to learn many languages simultaneously and reading is reading - no matter what language. Also, take your child to your public library's story hour. You could check out some kid books while you are there that you understand the majority of the words in. Each week you'll be able to gradually grow your vocabulary through the books. Some of the books have tapes that come with them that you could listen too and work on your pronunciation.

There are some great books at barns and noble and at babies r us that have read a long CD's with them. That way you can both can listen to the CD and read along with it. It may be a great way for you both to learn how to read and say some new words. Good Luck and you are already doing an awesome job by reading to him. Some parents don't even do that.

How about some good books on CD (book and CD's come together). I have my grandkids take turns 'reading' along with the CD and then we read the book alone. It allows us to interact with the story and lets my advanced reader and preschooler each have a turn; this is how I taught my children and the older grandchild to read. We also practice with phonics on the computer. I applaud you for your effort to raise good readers!

Hi R., well I think it would be good to find a good native English speaking friend to go over the books with you first. That is a good way to get a quick, correct definition of unfamiliar words...and could deepen friendship bonds at the same time! Becky

Go to your local library and ask the staff there for some good books that you could practice reading to your child. Also, find out when the library has Family Storyteller or reading time. There are a lot of books out there that are good for second language learners and the people at your local library can help. Good luck.

Hi R.,
If you go on line you can search for Japanese/English translation and it will translate words and phrases for you. That might help!

Good luck! Keep reading.

L.

My son likes to read a lot of the same books over and over again. I', mot sure how old your kids are, but you can learn some of their favorites and read them over again.

One thing I know. ..don't make reading a chore, make it a treat like "eat one more bite of broccoli and we can read any book you want after dinner." Also, any time your child brings you a book, read it and make it fun.

Good luck.

M.

Hi R.,
That's awesome that you want your kids to be a good reader. My advise, is to read, anything. Books with pictures are best when they are young. There are picture dictionaries that you can get from the Library. And model for them. If they see you reading and having fun, they will too. Read to them in Japanese. Take them to reading times at the local library. pbs.org has books that they can click on the audio portion and the book is read to them. There are more websites like that. Happy reading.

L.

R.,

Why not try books that have tapes or cd's that go with them. That way the kids and you can listen to the story and see the words in print as you follow along. You can buy them or get them at the library! Also, check out dvd's that are animated versions of a story. There usually aren't words on the screen but you'll get the idea of the story and then you can get the matching book and it will be more familiar to you as you read it together!

Good luck and keep reading!!!!! Your kids are SO lucky to have you as there mom!

K.

Just keep it up even if you dont know the word. The important thing is the fun and closeness with mom. If you let reading be a fun time then your child will enjoy reading and continue on their own. I am an english speaking mother and I dont always know the words either. My daughter enjoys reading so much that she reads on her own and has by far passed me up in terms of reading ability.

Read books to your child in Japanese too! This will also help them practice reading skills in a different language. Also, depending on the age of your children, read books that lots of pictures and words and stories to support the pictures that will help with understanding the text/vocabulary. Have fun reading! And also try going to the library to the read alouds that they offer.

Dear R.,
I am a teacher of English at the university and my students are all multilingual, most having spoken English for only a few years. I've learned a lot from them about learning to read. Cultural familiarity is important to them.I encourage you to read some translated books--stories you know well translated from Japanese so that she will remain familiar with her heritage language. The kind with English on one page and Japanese on the facing page would help both of you become more fluent readers in both languages. The other thing I would do is get both a book and a book-on-tape or CD on topics your child is really interested in. Then read along as you listen together. Sometimes stop and read a page or two without the tape. Then listen to the tape. Make it a learning experience or both of you and s/he will get the idea that you are in it together. My students would love for their parents to know English better and they say that LISTENING to English is the fastest way to learn it fluently.
Hope this helps.
R.

Read to your child in Japanese. Reading to your children in any language helps them learn reading and language skills. When your children are old enough enroll them in a quality pre-school program. They will pick up english, speaking and reading very quickly. I was a pre-school teacher at a very diverse school. And many of the smarter kids who picked up on pre reading and reading skills the quickest, english was there second language. In one case there was one little girl who came to our school at 2 years not speaking any english, and by the time her 4th birthday rolled around she was all ready reading small words. Just do what you can in both languages it is good for your kids and then they will have the bonus of being bilingual.

Hi R.,

Check out rosettastone.com. They make language learning software that is REALLY good. It uses a natural aquisition method of learning and includes reading, writing, speaking, grammar, etc. They have a set for learning English. Yes, it's a bit pricey -- $500 for levels 1-3, but the cost is little compared to taking classroom lessons. Also, you can use it on your own time.

Also, get out and speak to native English speakers at every opportunity. Listen to the TV and radio, go to movies, etc. Full immersion is one of the best ways to learn any language. Don't speak Japanese at home all of the time -- insist on English. However, make sure to continue some conversation in Japanese. It will be such a benefit to your children to grow up bilingually.

All the best,

R.

Hi R.,
Keep on reading. read Japenese, read English book/stories rhymes. The English vocabulary will become more familiar the more you read to your children. Read for the fun the rhythm, sounds, patterns and the shere enjoyment for you and your children. Forget the dictionary!

I have just read all the wonderful suggestions others are sending you, so I need not add any more.
Good luck and enjoy the reading time with your kids
C.

Studies have shown that it's not reading to kids that encourages them to be avid readers, but having them watch you read and enjoy it. Read what YOU like, what interests you, and read it in Japanese! They live in an English speaking community. They're going to learn English no matter what because that's what their friends speak.

I read it in the Daily Breeze or L.A. Times, but this is what I was able to find in a few minutes online...

Basically, children will find reading enjoyable if that behavior has been modeled, same thing as why soccer moms have soccer kids, and surfing dads have surfing kids, because the kids were taught that those activities were enjoyable, (or over eating, or healthy eating, anything else that a family does on a regular basis.) If you hate reading and your kid picks up on it, just like fear of water, or a picky attitude about food, you won't have a kid who loves to read.

http://www.buffalo.edu/news/6881

Kimball, who conducts research on reading and literature for children and youth, as well as library services for young people, points to research showing repeatedly that children who find reading a pleasure have a much easier time understanding and learning math, geography, history and every other academic subject. Non-readers, on the other hand, pay a very high price in terms of academic failure.

"Although some children have learning or behavioral problems, this is not true of all non-reading children." Kimball says. "It is more likely that no one has encouraged in them the simple enjoyment of reading, which is a very important parental job."

http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/articles/parenting/litera...

When children are provided age-appropriate books of their own, and when they see adults reading, they acquire important knowledge about the use and handling of books. For example, they learn the proper orientation for holding a book and that reading proceeds from front-to-back and left-to-right in books. Further, they learn that the print in books, rather than the pictures, carries the message. Finally, these activities also allow children to see that print corresponds to speech in fairly regular ways. This knowledge is essential if children are going to master the alphabetic nature of the English language. Each of these ideas is essential to skilled reading, yet they are facts that most adults take for granted (Goodman, 1986).

http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/newsletter/Vol29No2-2007/tr...

As parents and adults read with children at the library, they are also modeling positive behavior. Research suggests that if children see the adults around them reading, then they view reading as more valuable. Young people develop a feeling of accomplishment when they read a book on their own.

Hello R.,
The best way for your child to become a good reader is to read to them. My children,( although my oldest is 13) still likes me to read to them. The more you read the better reader your child will be. The children learn many things from you when you read to them. Go to the library and ask the library for the I can read books and start with them. They are very repetitive and the kids really like that. They also have a very controlled vocabulary. Read to your children in Japaneese and English. Not just English. Don't let them lose their rich heritage. Also if you want to improve your reading get some of the childrens books on cassette with the book included and follow along. Also if you want to take English as a second language most churches teach it. I know Torrance First Baptist has an ESL class. Good luck, D.

You could use the audio books and read all together as in, you follow along in the written book, but have the audio book playing. My son recently has gone to this for reinforcement of what he is reading. It has helped a lot. I too read a lot and always have with my kids and they love to read & I want it to continue. The library has the audio book to a lot of books as well as the actual book too! Good luck and God Bless You!

Keep reading yourself and reading to them. It doesn't matter if you stumble over words, they will too, it's good practice to show them, it will encourage them when they have troubles too. Showing them how to use the dictionary and being a role model of using it yourself will help them ALOT in school. Always feel free to use another word as long as it doesn't change the content or meaning, depending on the age of your child. Keep it up, I wish all lparents read to their kids!!! Remember too, it's not what you read, but that you read, no problem reading easier books...

Just read to them, and if you want to look it up in the dictonary, let them help also, it'll teach them how to use the dictonary. There is nothing wrong with mom not knowing it all. I home school a 10 and 7 year old, and they know that I don't know it all, and we have fun looking things up that we don't know.
K. E

Don't give up! My mom spoke no English either when I was a young child learning to read. It seems like every two seconds she was saying, "Look it up!" Then she'd say, "Tell me what that means. Explain it to me." (That forced me, as a child, to really figure out what the definitions were telling me.) To this day, in my home (we homeschool) there's an open dictionary in constant use with a sign over it that reads "Look it up!" It may seem tedious but when you look up a word and begin to wrap your brain around it and finally get to USE it, it expands your vocabulary and furthers your understanding. My adult sister still calls me and says, "Did you use your new word today?" Point: Our entire family got terrific educations, we all speak, read, and write two languages and we all love to learn. Oh! And my mom became a straight A student and got her master's degree in Education! I am very grateful for her example to us. Keep doing the wonderful job you're doing!

Best wishes to you, R.!

Hello R.;
My name is I. and I am mexican. When I came to USA, I didn't speak english at all, and then I have my first daughter, at the age of 4 I put her in a preschool, there, everybody spoke and read in english. So what I did, is that I went to the library and got the same books that the teacher was reading to my girl and also books according to her age, big pictures and a few words. I read them to her even though I didn't even know about what the book was about. The most important thing is to read to them, and if you don't know what the book is all about, just make up a story about the pictures. With time she will corrected me and she became an excellent reader, speller and she always had excellent grades in her english classes. I did the same with my other 2 girls and I can tell you that it really works. My 3 girls are excellent readers!
Good luck!
I.

You can buy or go to your local library for books on tape. They're great. You can flip through the pages with your child and just play the tape.
:)

Keep reading to them. If you do not understand the word immediately, ask the kids...they might know.

But keep reading to them in both languages.

Many English phrases do not translated to Japanese so well because English uses so many figures of speeches that do not translate directly.

Borrow books on cds and tapes from the library. Look for Japanese with English children's books at places like Book-Off in Costa Mesa.

Gamubatte ne!

Hi R..

I have an almost 9-month-old daughter. I also hope my daughter will read well, but most importantly, enjoy reading.

From personal experience, as a child, my immigrant parents who did not speak English well, let me buy books that had records (this was in the 1970s and early 80s) that went along with the books. The audio recordings would narrate the pages, include music and beep when it was time to turn the page. I enjoyed these books so much and still remember the stories. To this day, I am an avid reader. I can only attribute that fact to those books I so loved as a child. I am so sad that I no longer have these books to share with my own daughter.

I would suggest you find books that have audio narration on either CD, MP3 or other format you might find. Sitting with your children as they read and listen may also help you understand the stories and the words because you will see the pictures. I think it would be a great activity for you all. If they see you are enjoying the stories, that would only help encourage them to read more.

I hope this helps. Good luck. Please keep me posted as to your progress.

Hi R.,
You could try the phonics program. Costco I believe still carries it. Both you and your kids can use this program and become great readers. It's called Hooked on Phonics.
Either way, read read read. Eventually it WILL all make sense. And you'll become a better reader and your kids will eventually be reading on their own.
I missed what ages your kids are....but I started to read to my son when he was 4 wks old. At first I would just describe the pictures, shapes, colors and what was happening in the picture, instead of actually reading the words. The words came later. My son learned so much this way. He's just ending first grade...but they've had him in a 2 -3 grade reading class all year to keep him moving forward.
Kids learn by the tone of your voice, facial expressions, etc, while reading. They absorb it all.
So keep up the reading regardless on how you think you are doing....they'll benefit.

God Bless

I commend you for reading to your children, it is very important to read. Continue to do what you are doing, but you can also take your kids to the library for reading time. A lot of library have reading time set up for children, they alos have books on take which you can read along with. I thin your English is very good. You should also read to them in Japanese, I'm all about the bilingual. I speak two language, Spanish and English and my husband is half Korean, I want my kids to be trilingual, so read to them in Japanese as well. If you need help with words you don't understand email me, maybe I can give a simpler difintion to them, I do it with my mom all the time.

I am assuming that you are teaching them to speak Japanese. Reading to them is helpful in any language. The key is asking questions throughout the story about what is happening to develop comprehension skills. I have a large number of students in my class who are second language learners and I alwas recommend parents read to them in the language they feel comfortable in. Students tend to have more difficulty understanding what they read, then sounding out the words. The important thing is that you pass on a love of reading. It can be contagious.

You might want to take an ESL class through you school district so that you can help your child better. As for right now... maybe dad can read to the child more and/or another sibling or family member. But as the child gets older you want to be able to stay on top of his/her education so you will need basic mastery of the English language :) Good luck!

Hooked on Phonics is Awesome... and depending where you live... NIsha's Little Buddies in Malibu and Beverly Jills... nishaslittlebuddies.com

Any books are fine; they don't need to be (and shouldn't!) advanced. You don't need to read books word for word either. At a young age, children like to have the pictures described to them and not read.
As long as you are spending time with books and your child, that's all that matters. They will come to love holding and having books which will lead to a love of them.
I hope you are teaching them Japanese, as well as English; it will expand their horizons immensely.

I read and speak German to my kids. My husband does the English and they are fluent (4 and 2.5 with #3 on the way!)
Good luck

As long as you can read the books to them knowing the translations isn't as important. If they have questions about something write it down on a piece of paper and look it up together or ask someone later. Sometimes the internet might help with translations.

Find books with pictures on every page. Looking at pictures while listening to stories helps children develop their own ability to understand words and sentences.

Take your children to your local library for read aloud sessions.

R. ---

First of all, I just want to compliment you on your effort to help your children become good readers. The fact that you put out this request shows that you love your children very much and that you want to do everything you can to help them be successful.

How old are your children? I ask because I was wondering if they are in school yet. If so, then they are getting a lot of reading assistance there and can probably help you. I know there are also educational programs for parents who are English Language Learners...you should be able to find out about these through your children's school. Also, if you have some older children and some younger, then the older ones can help with the translations for both you and the younger children.

You may also want to look into computer reading programs that your children could use in addition to the time you spend reading with them.

I'm studying to be a school teacher, and spend a lot of time in classrooms. One thing I know is that the students who have parents who take an active part in their education, like you, always perform better in school than those who don't. In other words, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Hi R.,
You might want to try reading less complex books, some with rhyming or pictures to help you and your kids understand the text. You can also try to make a game out of guessing the word you do not know by looking at the context in which it is written. In any event, ask questions as you read so your kids can make predictions of what is to come, tell about what is happening, relate illustrations to the written word. This will be engaging and help you kids become engaged readers.

Hold your child, love your child . Read to them in both Japanese & English. they will learn a love of reading & be bi-lingual! And they will extra love their Mama for this! My son is almost 31 years old & reads for pleasure. If your children klearn to read for fun, that's a forever thing. Domo arigato!

Make use of your local public library! I have recently started bringing my two year old to the library every week for story-time. He LOVES it. They cover a new theme each week and then the two of us spend some time looking on the shelves for books that interest him to take home. Story-time will spark their interest in different books and help their imaginations to grow. And you can even check out the books that the storyteller reads... then you will remember the words and after some repetition, they will be able to recite them to you in no time. Check out your local library online to find out when times are and hopefully your kids will learn to gain a love for books like my son has.

How wonderful R. that you are so committed to raising good readers! How about books on tape/CD and you and your kids could follow along together? They offer them at many bookstores, online, and at lots of libraries. When I was teaching, kids loved them! Good luck!

Please keep reading to your children. How old are they? If they are pre-schoolers, it is OK if you don't know every word, you can skip words every once in a while. When the children are not there, write down the words you don't know -- and part of the sentence too. Then find someone to help you learn the meaning when you have time.

Read to them in Japanese.

Get books on tape/CD from the public library.

LeapPad is good for kids too. Kids/you can point to words and it says them. This won't tell you the meaning, but sometimes it is possible to guess from the context (what the story says or pictures).

I know many people who have learned English from reading children's books.

What area do you live in? If you are near me, I'd be happy to help. (I teach high school.)

Hi R.,
I really admire your commitment to your children and their future. I have some ideas for you.
Go to the library. There are many books on tape. The children's librarian can help you make good, fun choices for your kids. This will give you practice and time to look up words so that you understand the book too. Later you can read it to your kids. Book stores also have many choices that you can keep.
My daughter has a LeapPad Learning System. It is a toy that can read a story, has games and even helps kids with other school subjects. Every book comes with a cartidge that goes into the main notebook. It is a little expensive so if you are on a budget this may not be a good choice. You could look for used ones on e-bay or from friends.
I also want to say that there is nothing wrong with reading books in Japanese to your children. They will benefit from a second language. They will learn English reading as they grow older. I wish we had been more committed to it with my daughter and Spanish.
Children learn to love reading because it is time you spend with them, it doesn't matter the language. They remember the love you gave them at the time so they learn to love the reading. My daughter loves reading at bedtime every night. She hates getting rady for bed, but does it just to get reading time.
Good luck!

Have you tried books on tape or CD? Even reading to your child in Japanese will help his reading skills. My husband and I have read to our sons in Spanish and English since birth. He recently had a language appraisal in English and tested just fine. Good luck!

Many books come with the story recorded on CD......You could all sit down together and listen while following along in the book.

Hi R.,

It's really great that you have all of the support and wonderful advice. I think you are doing excellent and I do agree that you should keep reading simple, meaning large picture with few words and as you continue to read it will lead to smaller pictures and more words as your child grows. Another thing to is make sure that your child is keeping up with their language it's awesome to be bilingual...don't worry your child will pick up the english language as they interact with other children.

Good luck
T.

There is a little device called the Dictonary Pen you could buy . (Google it, it is sold online). You pass the Dictionary Pen over any word and it gives you the word's definition, and how to say it properly. You can use it to help you read to your kids, and they can use it themselves. And - check with your local public library about whether they have a story hour, or a program where volunteers come in on certain days and times to read to any kids who come. Many Los Angeles-area libraries have this, and you can take your child there each week, and the volunteers will read to them. Also, you can buy books on audio tape or CDs; at a good bookstore like Chilfdren's Book World on Pico Avenue or Vroman's in Pasadena. Kids love to play these for themselves, and they can follow along in a hard copy of the book.

Gashi, R. -

I have two suggestions, and one of them you probably already do, but I'll go ahead. I hope you're already reading to your children in Japanese. I imagine you're probably wanting them to learn English, but if you want them to love reading, it will be more appealing to them if it flows from you. Nothing wrong with letting them see you use a dictionary, and it would be good practice for all of you to do that -- but it doesn't seem like as much fun. So why not do both?

My other suggestion is books on tape. I live in Culver City and our library has some packages of book with tape especially for kids that patrons can check out. Also Scholastic sells book/tape sets. Those are great for getting kids started.

I just got another idea -- how about a book club? You don't say how old your kids are, but perhaps you are in a play group? Or a friend? You could take turns reading to the kids. I would have loved to have had someone read to my daughter in another language. Oh, and also libraries have times where the children's librarian reads to the children.

Happy reading & kouun (hope I have that correctly -- I mean to say good luck),
Colleen

Hi R.!
Your English sounds GREAT to me -- you're doing so well. I love all the advice you've gotten so far. I just wanted to add one thing. I'm an American living abroad and sometimes I don't understand the local phrases. I let my kids teach me the local words I don't know. They love it. We're a team. We also have a time each evening when we all just read -- no tv, no radio, no iPods, just reading. They get interested in what I'm reading, I get interested in what they're reading... it's nice.

Let your kids help you with English as you read to them. It will make them feel important. Get a children's dictionary with simple definitions. Children's dictionaries are wonderfully clear. Look new words up together.

But R., honestly -- you're doing so well! Give yourself a pat on the back! What a gift you've given your kids by giving them two languages!

:-)

Hi! Not sure how old your kids are, but books on tape or CD are great. You guys can follow along together while it is being read. Eventually you can listen to chapter books on tape together in the car. The public library has a lot of these to borrow.
If they are younger, there are books called "high interest/ low reading level." You can ask at their school or public library for them.
Just going to the library is great, exposing them to books. Check out the reading times at the library and book stores near you. Have fun!

Hi R., I have a PhD in literacy--and bilingual/children learning English as a second language is my specialty. READ TO YOUR CHILDREN IN JAPANESE. As a parent, the best you can do for your children is instill a love and ease for reading and writing. Do your children speak Japanese? I hope so! Bilingualism expands language, thinking, learning, etc. Take them to the library to listen to storeis. Let them pick out the books they check out. Write them personal notes and read them to them (in Japanese or English). Email me for more, if you like.