Introduction

This is an exciting time in the field of tutoring! It is a time when educational research and the best of teaching practice unite around the skills children need to become independent, fluent readers and writers. Together with the valuable experience of volunteer tutor programs, this information can enhance our work with young children.

In 1997, Congress asked the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to convene the National Reading Panel (NRP) to review existing reading research. Panel members included scientists, reading researchers, teacher educators, classroom teachers, administrators, and parents. The NRP issued a report in 2000 identifying five key skills integral to literacy development during the critical years from kindergarten to third grade (Armbruster, Lehr, & Osborn, 2001).

They are:

• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Fluency
• Vocabulary
• Text comprehension

For tutors, knowing which skills to address is only the beginning. This article will help you understand the meaning of each skill, recognize learning behaviors to look for and support, and enhance literacy development through fun, developmentally appropriate activities. Throughout this article, you will find one consistent suggestion: When in doubt, read aloud to children! Reading aloud remains the single most important activity for supporting reading success (Anderson, Hiebert, Scott, & Wilkinson, 1985).