Reading can (and should) be enjoyable for every child.  As a mother, I've seen first-hand with my own children how much a child can love to read, if given the right tools.  Not so sure your reluctant reader is there yet?  Watch this amazing video with that child:
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Tell me you weren't tapping your toes during that video.  Tell me your child wasn't smiling the whole time.

One of the great opportunities I am allowed as a consultant for Usborne Books &amp; More is being able to research and reach out to companies who know reading matters.  <a id="aptureLink_B84wcxOBra" href="http://www.rif.org/">Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF)</a>, founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching under-served children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provided 4.4 million children with 15 million new, free books and literacy resources last year.
<h2>Why You Should Support RIF</h2>
"I’ve just seen how the lights go on in the students’ eyes, when they know and understand that these are books that are theirs -- they get to keep them, they don’t have to give them back.  And that’s really very powerful because even today I have former students who come and say “Do you know I still have all of my RIF books?” and that just says to us that we are doing a good thing because we are helping children to be successful."

<em> - Ida Thompson, RIF program coordinator</em>
<h3>RESEARCH FINDINGS</h3>
Children who do not have access to books and do not read regularly are among the most vulnerable Americans.  All major educational research of the last decade identifies access to books as a key factor in children’s reading achievement.Book Distribution 2
<h3><strong>RIF actions:</strong></h3>
Every child who participates in a RIF program chooses three free books to keep.  Program coordinators work with volunteers, teachers, and parents to order books that reflect the interests of the children.  Whenever funds are available, RIF programs set up lending libraries so children can bring a variety of books home. By allowing children to choose their books, RIF makes them active participants in their education.
<h3>RESEARCH FINDINGS</h3>
Many of our nation’s children lack the motivation to read. Researchers have described motivation as the “skill and will” to learn.  Students who reported reading more often for fun have higher reading proficiency scores than those who reported reading less often. Interestingly, a positive correlation also exists between the amount of time children read for pleasure and their math and science achievement.
<h3><strong>RIF actions:</strong></h3>
Every RIF program includes motivational activities as a cornerstone of program delivery.   Through carefully crafted motivational activities, RIF provides children with a range of experiences that make reading fun.  RIF designs these activities to encourage children to become fluent and able readers.
<h3>RESEARCH FINDINGS</h3>
Research has shown that children who spontaneously learn to read early come from families where there are books, where they are read to often, and where adults engage in literacy activities. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children . The National Research Council suggests that the best time to start sharing books with children is during infancy, even when babies are as young as six weeks old.
<h3><strong>RIF actions:</strong></h3>
RIF recognizes that parents are the first teachers.  Through RIF’s Shared Beginnings and Family of Readers programs, we offer family reading programs that help parents develop the necessary educational skills and self-confidence to foster their children’s literacy skills.  Shared Beginnings focuses on helping young parents (in particular teens) understand the important role of talking, reading-aloud, and interacting with their babies through hands-on projects.  Family of Readers emphasizes to parents that time spent reading with their children is directly related to the children’s reading comprehension, vocabulary size, and motivation. In addition, all RIF programs encourage parents and community members to get involved in their children’s literacy development.

<em>References:</em>
<ul>
	<li><em>Helping Your Child Become a Reader, U.S. Department of Education, January 2000.</em></li>
	<li><em>Learning Math and Learning Science, International Assessment of Educational Progress, by Educational Testing Service for the U.S. Department of Education, 1992.</em></li>
	<li><em>NAEP 1992 Reading Report Card for the Nation and States.</em></li>
	<li><em>Neuman, Susan B. Learning from Family of Readers: An Evaluation, 1997.</em></li>
	<li><em>Starting Out Right—a Guide to Promoting Children’s Reading Successes, the National Research Council.</em></li>
</ul>
I'm challenging all of my clients and all of my readers to encourage literacy during 2010 by supporting RIF or another agency of their choice.  Not sure what to do?

Some of the ways you can support RIF and other literacy programs:
<ul>
	<li>Advocate</li>
	<li>Volunteer</li>
	<li>Donate money</li>
</ul>
There are MANY ways you can support these agencies and their programs.  How will you be encouraging literacy in your community?