If there’s only one book you read this fall, make it Renee F. Mizrahi’s “Secrets to Reading Success.”
The complete guide to preschool literacy is written for parents of children entering school for the first time, but rest easy if you’re expecting — or dreading — a magnum opus with lots of brain-cramping mumbo-jumbo.
Mizrahi’s book is a breezy and digestible read, written in eye-friendly large script, with pictures, diagrams, educational games and examples. There’s also a summary at the end of each chapter and an index to find information quickly.
What makes it a must-read for moms and dads is that it targets that missing link in a child’s early school years that has been largely ignored until now — them!
Mizrahi, a reading remediation specialist at Kingsborough Community College, explores the vital role of parents in their child’s word journey, like a weathered seafarer skillfully navigating the rough seas of learning. And she answers that time-honored question, “Why can’t Johnny read?”
She’s amply qualified to steer the course: At Kingsborough Community College, part of the City University of New York, Mizrahi helps college-age students iron out their reading difficulties, so they can continue with their education.
“This is a long and difficult road for them,” says the author, stressing that if reading problems are left uncorrected, they only snowball after the first grade. “It becomes more difficult to correct for each year it’s neglected.”
Cognitive studies back her up.
Scientists analyzing the anatomy of children’s brains during reading discovered something exciting and unexpected: Remedial training for poor readers resulted in the growth of white matter tracts in the brain while the increase corresponded with the level of improvement in sounding out words.
At the heart of the matter, contends the author, is vocabulary. That mighty arsenal grows exponentially as preschoolers encounter new experiences.
“The child with a large storehouse of words is at an advantage, because vocabulary is the foundation for strong reading comprehension,” comments Mizrahi, who looked to sources close to her heart for additional research for her book — her three preschool-age grandchildren.
It’s no secret that kids learn when there’s a sense of fun about it, and “Secrets to Reading Success” equips moms and dads with practical ways to make their kids book-smart as they go about their daily lives.
In fact, according to Mizrahi, the whole world is a classroom for a small child.
“Giving your child new experiences and discussing them together will help him automatically learn new words to add to his vocabulary,” she writes.
In the chapter, “Everyday Opportunities to Naturally Lead Your Child to Reading Success,” she details how a day at the circus, an apple-picking excursion, a hike along a nature trail, a trip on the subway or simply watching television with your child can become automatic learning opportunities, if parents take the time to point out new words along the way.
“Secrets to Reading Success” is also a valuable tool for early childhood educators and new grandparents, and includes resources, ways to use technology, and even checklists to track Junior’s progress — but it’s a miracle that it was written at all.
Mizrahi is a transplant patient (“I received the gift of a kidney from my sister”), who is donating a percentage of the proceeds from her book to the New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College Transplant Center for Research.
“Secrets to Reading Success” by Renee F. Mizrahi (Dr. Eastman Publishing L.L.C., $19.99) is available for purchase whereat bookstores and through Amazon.com.
