At Memphis Striving Readers, we are committed to fostering literacy and a love for reading within our community. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive academically, and we offer various programs to support this mission.
Whether you are interested in tutoring, attending family reading nights, or volunteering, there are numerous ways to get involved. Our dedicated team is always here to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
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Turning Everyday Objects into Reading Moments
Some of the best reading practice happens far from a bookshelf. Children notice labels, instructions and product names everywhere, from the kitchen to a school science lab, and each of those encounters is a chance to build vocabulary. A long technical name printed on a piece of equipment, for example, can become a quick word game: break it into parts, sound out each piece and talk about what the words might mean together.
Families often tell us that science and reading support each other well. When a child asks how a lab tool heats or stirs a liquid, they are practising the same skills they use with a story: asking questions, looking for clues and putting ideas into their own words. Encouraging that curiosity at home helps striving readers see text as useful rather than intimidating.
Simple ways to practise at home
- Label hunts: Ask your child to find three words on packaging or appliances and read them aloud.
- Chunking long words: Split compound or technical words into smaller pieces they already recognise.
- Follow the steps: Read a short set of instructions together, such as a recipe, and let your child lead each step.
- Ask "why": After reading, talk about what the words told you and what you still want to know.
These small habits take only a few minutes but add up over a school year. Younger readers gain confidence decoding unfamiliar words, while older students strengthen the comprehension skills needed for science and maths textbooks.
If you would like more ideas, our reading resources include practical activities families can try between sessions. You can also explore our tutoring and family reading programs to find support that fits your child, or learn how to share your own skills by becoming a volunteer tutor here in Memphis.