In Fall 2008 Raising A Reader MA (RAR MA) partnered with the Methuen YMCA to bring the RAR program to their 6 classrooms serving a capacity of 100 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 regarding sharing books with their children. While no families completed the pre-survey, 20 completed the post-survey. The results that follow reflect respondents’ recollection of their behaviors before Raising A Reader compared to after participation.
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,” (1) we focus our attention on behavior changes in two key areas: frequency of sharing books at home and use of dialogic (interactive) reading strategies. Methuen YMCA families show impressive gains in these areas. After participating in Raising A Reader, 100% of families are now sharing books 4 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 that they themselves changed their behaviors with an increase of the following strategies: asking questions, talking about the pictures, singing songs, and making up their own stories. Additionally, after participating in RAR, 100% of parents reported that their children enjoy or very much enjoy sharing books with someone in the family.
The post-surveys also reflected overall satisfaction with the Raising A Reader program. 100% of families who felt the questions were applicable expressed that they were very satisfied with RAR books, training, and staff, and with the overall program. 100% were also satisfied with their children’s caregivers about RAR.
Parent Comments
Thank you.
Great program.
My son reminds me to borrow a bag. I try to read after dinner or at bedtime. Thank you.
This program is great! The books are great! My son gets so excited when he takes a book bag home!
Keep up the good work!
I hope we get more books next year.
Books are quality. Bags are sturdy.
My child loves the books and the red bags – easy to handle!
This is a great program.
Key Findings
The percentage of families reading with their children 4 or more times per week increased 90 points and 900% from 10% when asked retrospectively (eg. How many times a week did you read before the program?) to 100% on the post-survey.
Parents reported an increase in engaging in the following behaviors while sharing books with their children: asking questions (70%), talking about the pictures (70%), singing songs (65%), and making up their own stories (75%).
3. 100% of families who reported that their children enjoy or enjoy very much sharing books with someone in their home.
Table
(1) Becoming a Nation of Readers: The Report of the Commission on Reading. The National Academy of Education, 1985.