Helping children learn to read

Research into early reading shows numerous elements that help children become readers. Teachers know these factors; and if parents know also, they can support their children at home with some of the same information. I comment on some of them in no particular order.

One, exposing children to books and literature from infancy, maybe even before birth, helps them as readers when they go to school. The town library has an excellent elementary collection of books that parents can use all year long, in addition to the elementary school library collection during the regular school year.

Two, making...