Dr. Jones discussed the foundational skills developed in the early years, such as phonics and recognizing sight words, and stressed the importance of reading out loud to young children or having them read aloud. As students progress to grades three to five, they become more fluent readers, which aids in comprehension and the ability to engage with texts more meaningfully. For middle school students, the focus shifts to analyzing and comparing texts with an emphasis on choice to maintain engagement.

The presentation also included practical strategies for parents to support their children’s reading habits at home. These strategies include setting a daily reading time, allowing children to choose their reading materials, and creating a family reading routine. Dr. Jones encouraged parents to make reading a fun and valued part of everyday life, suggesting activities such as using subtitles in movies or exploring various types of reading materials, including graphic novels and comics.