Self-Selected Reading Programs

Self-Selected Reading Programs Create Good Reading Habits

Self-selected reading programs offer children a chance to become avid readers by choosing books and other materials to read on their own. The teacher provides a variety of materials for children to choose from and places these in a central location or in several locations around the classroom. These are often referred to as reading centers (embed: www.domain.com/reading-centers). She also makes suggestions to the students while they are selecting books or magazines. After the students have settled in and are reading silently, the teacher sits with individual students in turn to discuss what they are reading, how they are progressing with it, and what they would like to read next.

Self-selected reading programs provide a break from traditional reading programs and create an activity that students look forward to - thus encouraging children to see reading as a pleasure and not a chore. The concept of self-selected reading programs became popular in the fifties. Children received free time to read books selected on a school library visit, from the classroom collection, or from a school book club, like Scholastic Books.

Studies show that self-selected reading programs in the classroom are beneficial, and your child's school probably has one. If not, strongly encourage this and enroll your child in a reading program at a local library or community center. The home is an ideal place for self-selected reading each day. You might bring home a stack of books from the library - from which your child can then select what she would like to read. Alternatively, you can visit a library or a bookstore together and read at a table or lounge area there. Make sure that you select something too and read your book silently while she reads hers.

On occasion, you might ask her to select books for you. You can also download short stories or interesting articles from the Internet and have newspapers and magazines around the house for self-selected reading. Talk to your child about what she is reading, why she chose it, and how she likes it. Look at what materials capture her interest and capitalize on that with additional books on the subject.

You can find additional information on self-selected reading programs at the International Reading Association.

Find suggestions for reading material at:
http://www.thecoo.edu/~sduncan/self_-selected_.htm
http://classroom.jc-schools.net/read/ssrbooks.pdf
http://www.cool-reads.co.uk/