Why focus on young children?

From Eric Hildreth [eric.hildreth@libraries.idaho.gov] and Posted by Patricia Romig

The National Institute for Literacy recently released a 260 page report describing and summarizing research on early learning and literacy.  The following are some highlights:

·       More than one-third of America’s fourth graders read at levels so low they cannot complete their schoolwork successfully.

·       Reading achievement is particularly low for Latino and African American fourth graders, 56 percent and 60 percent, respectively, of whom read at those below-basic levels that do not even provide sufficient support to allow the completion of schoolwork.

·       Early cognitive and linguistic development predict later achievement. Patterns of preschool learning are closely linked with reading achievement in the primary grades.

·       Young children who demonstrate oral language proficiency and early abilities in processing print do better in learning to read in first, second, and third grades.

·       Success in literacy learning during the primary grades is indicative of later literacy achievement. Seventy-four percent of children who perform poorly in reading in third grade continue to do so into high school, further underlining the importance of preparing children to enter school ready to learn.

Full Report

http://www.nifl.gov/nifl/publications/pdf/NELPReport09.pdf