Launching Dads into Reading
In June, we celebrated Father's Day and honored dads for giving their love and support. Dads' efforts have a big payoff—studies show that when fathers participate in learning, children receive higher marks, enjoy school more, and are less likely to repeat a grade. But dads reading with their children can lead to more than just better school performance. Reading time creates a family bond that will last forever.

How do you fit reading into a dad's busy day? How about adding it to the schedule? Like the soccer game or dance performance dad doesn't want to miss, add reading time to the week's events. This gives kids a chance to look forward to some quiet time with dad and makes reading time happen when it's convenient for everyone. For fathers who don't see their child each day, arranging a regular time to read books over the phone is a good way to model behavior that keeps kids on a path toward learning.

Drive the reading message home—with dad behind the wheel!  Put dad in charge of a weekly trip to the local library where dads and kids can test drive the next titles to share together. Dads should select books that interest him and his children—perhaps famous athletes, historical events, or how things work—but also let kids have a chance to make selections of their own.

Some dads aren't readers, but their participation in literacy activities at home can have an impact on the academic achievement of their kids. Dads need to send the message that reading is important. Dads can

• Tell stories about their own life or when they were young.
  
  
• Talk about the "words" that are in their environment. For example, read and talk about road signs or brand names on food containers.
  
  
• Check out books of photography or art and talk about the pictures.
  
  
• Describe what they are doing when they take on household projects. Use interesting words.
  

• Follow the instructions together. Even if they already know how to program the DVR or install the new dishwasher, show children that they can gain valuable information from text.
  
  
• Ask their child about his day. Engage in conversation that extends simple sentences.

When fathers read, talk, and explore with their kids, a love for learning blooms.

For the dad who wants to learn more about literacy, tips for reading aloud to children, and award-winning children's book authors, visit readingrockets.org.

There are many ways that you can help your child succeed! A few small activities each week will pay huge dividends over the course of the year.  Here are a few that you can do this week:

• Build an at-home child ID file including items such as medical records, pictures, and fingerprints. — Elabore un archivo casero de identificacion de su hijo que incluya datos tales como expedientes medicos, fotos y huellas digitales.
  
  
• Make donations and/or offer to work at clothing drives and food banks to benefit economically disadvantaged families in the community. — Haga donaciones y/u ofrezcase para trabajar en colectas de ropa y alimentos destinados a familias con dificultades economicas que habitan en la comunidad.

Input from Teens Make Rules More Effective

Involve teens in rule-making process
A parent needs to set rules for teenagers to ensure their health and safety. This can prove to be a difficult task. Strict rules with severe punishments might only cause anger and resentment. To help navigate this tricky path, the Child Welfare Information Gateway offers these tips on setting rules for your teenaged son or daughter.

Tips to keep in mind:

• Involve teenagers in setting the rules. They may be more likely to follow them.
  
• Talk about the reasons behind the rules and what you expect from them.
  
• Choose your battles. Provide choices in the matters that are less important (for instance, you might let your daughter pick her own hairstyle if she comes home on time).
  
• Make sure your teens understand the consequences ahead of time. What will happen if they break the rules?
  
• Set consequences that are related to the behavior and be consistent in follow through. Ask teenagers to help decide what the consequences will be if they break the rules.
  
• Do not make consequences so harsh that you or your teen can't follow through. Consider taking away privileges, limiting time with friends, or assigning extra chores.
  
• Allow your teens to gradually earn more freedom.
  
• Get to know your teen's friends and let them know your rules and expectations.
  
• Make sure they know you love and accept them even when they are not perfect.