Parent A wants their child to do well in school and life. When their child is born, they have the same hopes and dreams for their child as Parent B. Parent A knows reading is important, so when their child is young they read to them. They are pleased when their child starts reading small words in Kindergarten. Suddenly, their child is reading often, and all seems well.
Parent A buys a DS. It is handy on small and long trips because it occupies the child. The child is reading less, but Parent A doesn’t notice. Child A wants a Play Station or XBox. Parent A is low on money, but finds a way to raise the 300 dollars because their child will have everything other children have. The child loves the game, and suddenly Parent A has extra free time. Their child is in the house and quiet so they have no worries, until the sessions start to become longer and longer. Parent A realizes their child isn’t reading much at home. They don’t worry much because they have already seen their child read. This pattern continues until Parent A becomes frustrated with the amount of time Child A spends on the game system. Parent A gets angry, and claims they never should have bought the game!
Child A starts slipping in school because they can’t really read and the work is getting more difficult.They can’t really read because they stopped reading when they should be developing fluency and comprehension skills.Their assignments stop coming in consistently and their grades suffer. Parent A then punishes Child A by taking away their game system.
Child A reads 20-30 points below their potential, and their opportunities in life are diminished
VS.
The readforxbox parent
Parent B
Parent B does the exact same thing as Parent A in the early years. They know literacy is the most important indicator to success in school and life, so they read to their child often at an early age. Parent B is thrilled when their child reads their first words, but they know it’s just the beginnings of literacy. When their child is reading often in 1st grade, Parent B realizes they are on the right course. Parent B buys a DS for the child, and it comes in handy on long trips or doctors appointments.
Child B wants a game system. Parent B is wise and knows the child will agree to almost anything to have what they so dearly want. Parent B explains to Child B that game systems are very expensive, and money is tight. Child B says they will do extra chores to earn money towards the game system. Parent B says they have a better idea:
Parent B will buy the game system if Child B agrees to read to earn time on the game system. Parent B explains to the child that it isn’t a punishment. Child B agrees enthusiastically.
While other students are losing ground in the summer and on extended breaks, Child B is reading. Child B continues to read well and fully develops their comprehension and fluency skills. Child B still plays the game system often, and still does well in school. Parent B realizes this parenting decision also helped them set limits during the difficult teen years.
There is a better way! readforxbox