Panda families, reading is the foundation for academic success. We are noticing students are struggling to maintain reading stamina, spending less time with books, and more time on screens. This trend can impact learning across all subjects.
Why Daily Reading Matters
Research shows that students who read at least 20 minutes a day develop stronger vocabulary, better comprehension skills, and increased confidence. Daily reading helps children think critically, understand new ideas, and build a lifelong love for learning.
How Families Can Help
Families play a critical role in supporting literacy at home. Here are some simple steps you can take:
Set aside daily reading time: Encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes each day.
Limit screen time: Reducing hours spent on phones, tablets, and TV allows more time for reading, homework, and family engagement.
Ask questions and discuss books: Talk with your child about the story they are reading to build comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Celebrate progress: Positive reinforcement goes a long way—praise your child for finishing a book or reading every day.
Resources for Families
Students can check out books from the school media center. Families who need additional reading materials are encouraged to email esparzaj@duvalschools.org to build a home library. Ensuring students have access to books at home helps them read consistently and strengthens their literacy skills.
New Worlds Reading Partnership
New Worlds Reading is a state-supported program administered by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. This program provides free books and resources to eligible Florida students, with books shipped between October and June each school year. https://www.newworldsreading.com/en/eligibility/
This partnership gives students even more opportunities to read at home and develop essential literacy skills.
Closing the Literacy Gap
The achievement gap in education is closely tied to literacy. By prioritizing daily reading, reducing screen time, and taking advantage of programs like New Worlds Reading, families can help close this gap and give students the tools they need to succeed.
Together, we can help students grow into confident, strong readers ready to reach their full potential. Go Pandas!