Parental+Guidelines

While there are no hard and fast rules, we have developed some guidelines to help you succeed. Those that we deem to be most important have been **//__highlighted. __//**


 * The most important advice that we can give to you and what is essential to making this work is to HAVE FUN. The best way to do this is to understand what FART is not:

It is not a performance measuring or enhancement tool

It is not a venue in which to teach kids meaningful lessons

It is not about judegment. Kids should not be criticized when reading aloud and help should only be given when requested**

Remember: Kids are smart. If you try to make this anything other than an opportunity for your family to spend some enjoyable time together, it won't work because they probably won't want participate. Whatever you do, DO NOT force your kids to participate no matter how much you want them to. If that happens, I recommend that you (alone) refer to point 3 below.

Studies have identified three characteristics that contribute to postive independent reading experiences for most children. They ar e:  While these studies have focused on independent reading in the school environment, we believe that each is just as relevant to home creating positive home reading experiences.
 * 1) Self-Selection
 * 2) Non Accountability
 * 3) Modeling

__Self Selection__: Let your kids have input into the choice of reading material! Discuss it as a group. Take suggestions, choose something that will make everyone happy. That sounds like a tall order, but with literally thousands of books to choose from, you will find something (even just a topic) that you all agree upon. You do not all have to read the same book. You could read different books on the same subject and talk about it afterward, one person could be chosen to read aloud (from a book of the appropriate level) each reading session.

__Non Accountability__: This is n​ot a test! We repeat: this is not a test. Parents: keep your judegments to yourselves. Older siblings: give younger kids a break and don't rush them or make them feel stupid. If you read the highlighted information above, you should have the point by now.

__Modeling__: You need to set the example--be the guide and the inspiration if you want reading to be important to your kids. Read when they can see you, leave books lying around. Turn off the TV and pick up a magazine! Trust me: they will notice what you are doing. S tudies of factors influencing children’s perceptions of reading, found that children and teens who frequently read for enjoyment 1) all regularly interact around books with other members of their social circle and 2) had parents or other family members explicitly prioritize reading as a recreational activity.