A comparison of the effects of educational counseling of parents of backward readers with the effects of specialized remedial help for such readers suggests that an interested, well-informed staff who can enlist the positive cooperation of parents can substantially reduce the problem of reading failure without elaborate specialized provisions. (GT)

Describes some findings from the Books for Babies project, a central strand of Derbyshire's county-wide literacy initiative, Read On--Write Away! (ROWA!). Indicates that there are additional benefits for other family group members when a Book Start project includes follow-up activities and is connected to wider ranging community literacy…

Describes a 10-week reading program that paired students and parents as reading partners. Concludes that the program was successful because the children's reading scores improved measurably and parents felt the program was worthwhile. (SRT)

Discusses an approach to early reading instruction that emphasizes "real" books and parental involvement. Contains a list of "dos" and "don'ts" for use by parents in helping their children read. (DF)

Reviews reading research in Great Britain in 1987, focusing on: parental involvement; preschool literacy; oral reading; remedial reading; writing, spelling, and handwriting; word recognition; comprehension; reading and thinking; and reading schemes. Suggests that future literacy research should reflect alternative means of investigation and a…

Examines the use of reading diaries, in which parents of poor readers recorded their child's reading activities at home. Indicates that children made a mean gain in Reading Age Score of 6.3 months after five weeks of using the reading diary approach. Reports positive change in reading attitudes for both parents and children. (MG)

Describes and evaluates several methods for teaching reading that can involve the parent in the child's reading development. Concludes that a program involving paired reading in its purest form is the best method. (SRT)