February is "I Love to Read" Month

MOTIVATION, the heart of reading, fosters lifelong readers. One of the measures of a successful reading program is the enthusiasm and the frequency with which students voluntarily choose to read. Research tells us that motivation plays a critical role in helping students develop into enthusiastic, active, engaged readers; who read both for pleasure and information. Therefore, in Montana the month of February is dedicated towards fostering a love of reading.

I encourage you to plan activities at home and for you teachers who are reading this – at school that promote reading for enjoyment, as well as reading for information. In this issue of The Little Mustang News you will find a calendar of activity ideas which will get you started.

The greatest gift we can instill in our young people is the belief that reading is worthwhile. Ideally, that belief stems from a personal need for experiences with books and also from the knowledge that books are a valuable source of information. The well-rounded reader finds both purposes important. Surrounding students with a rich variety of literature plus experiences that make a story come alive and draw the student in-to a book, can provide the basis for genuine love of reading.

Reading aloud from a selection of literature is an excellent way to introduce a theme, a concept, or new content materials to students. Read aloud to your children everyday, no matter how old they are.

Join in the fun and help celebrate February as “I Love to Read” month. Help our young people foster the belief that reading is worthwhile. Parents set a good example for your children. Pick up a book and read this month. Go to the library with your children. Help you children with their homework. Pick up one of your children’s text-books and have a look at what they are learning in school. You never know – you might learn something also.

Please read with your children. Make it a family affair this month.