Reading Matters - SMART Reading

Reading is the Gateway to Learning and Opportunity for Oregon’s Kids

At SMART Reading, we hold to one simple truth: Reading matters. It’s an early gateway skill that paves the pathway for future success. Without it, kids are simply less likely to graduate high school, find employment, or successfully avoid hardships like poverty, homelessness, hunger, and other injustices.

SMART Reading comes alongside Oregon’s highest need schools and marginalized communities to support kids and build brighter futures through books and reading. Because the simple magic and joy of a shared book can change a child’s life trajectory.

Here, you will find resources, research and statistics on childhood literacy and how to set children on the pathway to realizing their full potential through reading.

Reading with Children: Emerging Readers

SMART Volunteer reads "If You Take A Mouse To School" with a child

The process of reading with children varies greatly depending on their age and where they are in the process of learning to read. Here, we’ve listed some information… Read More ›

10 Things You Can Do to Raise a Reader

Reposted from: Reading Rockets

Blue wall with a yellow paper sun in the corner with the words "Growing Great Readers" in green letters. Below the words there are different colored paper flowers with student names in the center

We came across this handy-dandy list from Reading Rockets on raising readers. Efforts to instill a love of reading in children and build vital reading skills must start… Read More ›

Reading with Children: Pre-Readers

SMART Reader smiles at a young girl who is reading the cover of a book

The process of reading with children varies greatly depending on their age and where they are in the process of learning to read. Here, we’ve listed some information… Read More ›

Themed Children’s Book Lists from Reading Rockets

Reposted from: Reading Rockets

Black and white image of a child picking up a book from a bookshelf

Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can… Read More ›

Reading with Children: Developing Readers

Child smiles and looks down while reading with a SMART Volunteer

The process of reading with children varies greatly depending on their age and where they are in the process of learning to read. Here, we’ve listed some information… Read More ›