In Fall 2008 Raising A Reader MA (RAR MA) partnered with the Breen Public School in Lawrence to bring the RAR program to all 20 pre-K classes serving a capacity of 298 children. Some of these families also participated in a survey, which aims to analyze the impact of the Raising A Reader program on family behavior towards sharing books with their children. 37 completed the pre-survey, and 41 families completed the post-survey.(1)
Because research has shown that “the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children,” (2) we focus our attention on behavior changes in two key areas: frequency of sharing books at home and use of dialogic (interactive) reading strategies. Breen families showed great progress in these important behaviors. After participating in Raising A Reader, 90% of families are now sharing books 3 or more times per week.
In addition, families reported a significant increase in their supportive and interactive behavior while sharing books with their children. Parents reported at least a 33% increase in their children engaging in the following behaviors while sharing books after participating in the Raising A Reader program compared to before: asking and answering questions and listening to the story. After participating in RAR, 100% of parents reported that their children enjoy or very much enjoy sharing books with someone in the family. Respondents also reported doing more of the following positive parent behaviors during story time: talking about the pictures, singing songs, asking questions, and making up their own story.
Respondents were clearly pleased with the program. 100% were satisfied or very satisfied with the books, working with Breen staff about RAR, and with the overall program.
Parent Comments
I’m very pleased with this program. My son and I enjoyed reading every single night.
It’s a very good program. This program should be extended through more grades and more schools because it is very good.
This is a very good program. My child is very interested in reading. Before this program I wanted to read to my child but did not have the apropriate books for his age. But this changed once he started bringing the red bag home. Thank you for doing this!!
Very good program. Should be installed in all Lawrence Public Schools.
Excellent program!
My child enjoys the books and wanted to read all the time. He knew those books were his to read. It helped a lot. I hope next year he can enjoy reading them again. Thank you.
Love the RAR Program. It has teached my son a lot even how to read a little. Keep up the good good RAR Program. My vote anytime.
After receiving the red bag of RAR my chold loves to read more. We read the same books every week about 3 times a day that’s how much he enjoys the books. Thanks RAR!!
I think it was a great program. My child enjoys so much. Thanks.
With RAR I learned all the types of books my daughter enjoys reading. The many options they give always kept Anya interested in reading or being read to.
It is a good thing the bag has several books to choose from. It gives options.
Key Findings
The percentage of families reading with their children 3 or more times per week increased 28 points and 45% from 62% on the pre-survey to 90% on the post-survey.
The percentage of families reading with their children 4 or more times a week increased 41 points and 128% from 32% on the pre-survey to 73% on the post-survey.
Out of the respondents, between 29% and 36% of the families increased their interactive behavior during story time: asking questions about the story, talking about the pictures, and making up their own stories.
3. The percentage of families who reported that their children enjoy or enjoy very muchsharing books with someone in their home increased from 77% to 100%.
Table
(1) Pre-surveys indicate a largely Latino, Spanish speaking population. 73% reported English as the dominant home language and 27% Spanish, with many of these families reporting that they speak both languages in the home. 73% identify as Latino, 24% as Caucasian, and 3% as Other. 30.6% have a family income of less than $20,000, 42% make between $20,000 and $30,000, and 28% make more than $40,000. 39% of respondents have at least some training after high school, 39% have a high school degree, and the remaining 22% did not complete high school.