4) Sunday, bebruaagrs 7, 1O8x Notih Shore News reading CHILDREN BECOME fascinated by reading from the moment they begin to comprehend words. They see adults reading, so reading becomes important ta them. Aad reading is also fun. When a child has an unsuc- cessful reading experience, the child loses interest in reading. The lack of interest results in a decline in reading ability, which is blamed as the source of school difficulties. Parents can take action to stop a decline in reading proficiency, regardiess of the student’s age. First, vou can look for several in- dications: e What kinds of books does your child read? © Does he or she consistently select books written for children in lower grades? © Does the student have trouble comprehending textbooks? ¢ Does your son or daughter read the newspaper? «Is reading enjoyable? Next, parents must determine their child’s skill level. If a sup- plemental education centre is chosen for testing, the centre should offer testing prior to enrolment in its reading program. Teachers often refer parents to learning centres, such as the local Sylvan Learning Centre, for a third party evaluation of the stu- dent's reading skills. Parents wiiose child is reading at a lower level than appropriate for his or her age can help their child improve reading skills. A supplemental learning centre may be used as a resource for learning reading skills that have been missed, while building the child’s self-confidence and motiva- tion with positive reinforcement. A child raay be iiclned at home through ositive reinforcement. Compliment strengths and minimize weaknesses. Reward the child with favorite recreation or a token gift for each degree of im- provement, no matter how small. Set priorities. Study takes precedence over leisure activities. Homework comes first. Turn off the TV set and stereo for at least 30 minutes of reading time. Read aloud to a young child and let the child read aloud to you. Encourage older children to discuss what they've read. Gather the family every night in the same room for a silent reading session. Be a good model. Show an ac- tive intérest in reading. Children pattern their parent's. values. They’re interested ‘in your views and want to understand you better. They also have values of their own, so listen to their ideas and questions. They’re becoming in- dependent thinkers. Patience is as important as persistence. Starting now to interest your child in reading will pay unlimited rewards to everyone. larriage rate dips IN THE early 1970s, the marriage rate in Canada reached almost nine marriages per 1,000 population. But according to Statistics Canada, it has been declining since then. By 1985, it had fallen to a level ap- proaching historic lows, reaching just over seven marriages per !,000 population. .. FF siato nn NO ‘NC rf BURNABY 14625-1080 AVE Tan MARINE tebe 4700 1 HASTINGS arab orf Couededtaved iar of Hastings & Heta € q + SH AKT 984-0341 HFhane 294-5256 AEE fae EE AREIIE 4S THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER TENDER OF A GENERAL BUSINESS SITE_IN PEMBERTON OF .9768 ha +/- (2.41 acres +/-) Offers to ground l#ase or purchase the treehold of the above site siiuated at Mc