News Release

BUFFALO, N.Y. – As the new school year approaches, the Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction (CLaRI) at the University at Buffalo’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) has been helping students and parents prepare for a successful academic year through its innovative summer camp and tutoring program. These programs not only boost literacy skills but also equip parents with essential tips and activities to support their children’s learning journey.

Ashlee Campbell, UB clinical associate professor and associate director of ClaRI, offers parents the following expert tips to foster a reading-friendly environment at home:

• Set a Regular Reading Time. Establish a consistent time for reading each day, such as after dinner or after playing when children are ready to relax.
  This routine can involve either encouraging children to read by themselves or having family reading sessions. The key is to make reading a part of the daily schedule without distractions like iPads or TVs.
• Allow Children to Choose Their Reading Material. Encourage children to select their own books based on their interests. This can include trips to the library or bookstores where they can pick out books that appeal to them, whether they are graphic novels, magazines or any other reading material. Ensuring that the content is developmentally appropriate is important; however, giving children the freedom to choose can foster a love for reading.
• Incorporate Audiobooks and Reading Aloud. Utilize audiobooks, especially during busy times like car rides, to expose children to new vocabulary and stories. Apps like Libby, which connect to public libraries, provide free access to audiobooks. Additionally, parents can read aloud to their children, engage in buddy reading (alternating pages or paragraphs) or listen to audiobooks together. This helps children enjoy books that might be too advanced for them to read on their own.
• Make reading enjoyable. Create a pleasant and engaging reading environment by making the experience enjoyable. Encourage children to turn off distractions and focus on their reading. Read together as a family and consider creating a cozy reading nook. 

These tips are at the heart of ClaRI’s innovative summer programming, which aims to boost literacy skills and equip parents with guidance to support their children’s learning journey. The programs include CLaRI’s Summer 2024 Reading and Writing Society and One-to-One Reading and Writing Society.

“As a parent, one of the things I have always looked for in summer programming is how it can balance fun with addressing any academic needs students might have. If a student is a bit behind or had a challenging school year, we focus on areas like reading and writing to help them catch up. The goal is to keep them engaged in literacy activities that not only make learning enjoyable but also set them up for a successful start to the school year,” said Mary McVee, UB professor and director of ClaRI.

CLaRI’s “Summer Reading and Writing Society,” designed for rising second through fifth graders, focuses on striving readers who are reading and writing below grade level. The camp allows students to engage in small group reading, spelling and writing instruction, as well as independent reading and writing. The program focuses on fluency, comprehension strategies, phonological awareness, vocabulary knowledge, spelling and writing. Graduate-level literacy students at UB provide instruction under the supervision of experienced instructors. Fun activities such as buddy reading, outdoor reading and themed reading days like “Teddy Bear Tuesday” or "Flashlight Friday" keep children engaged and excited about reading.

CLaRI’s “One-to-one Reading and Writing Sessions” offer individualized tutoring for children entering kindergarten through grade 12 throughout the summer. This program is open to all children, regardless of their reading level, and is tailored to meet individual needs. Certified literacy specialists provide personalized instruction in areas such as fluency, comprehension, spelling and writing. Parents can choose the frequency of sessions, from once to twice a week, with some opting for additional sessions. This program addresses the summer learning lag and provides structured literacy activities, ensuring that children maintain or improve their reading skills over the summer.

Many parents have seen remarkable improvements in their children’s literacy skills after participating in CLaRI’s programs.

Sherry Arndt, the parent of a third grader, has seen the significant progress that her daughter has made since attending the summer reading camp and participating in ongoing tutoring. “My daughter is about six months behind in her reading, but she’s on track with other courses. I believe it is vital for her to continue in a reading program throughout the summer months. The CLaRI program has been able to fill this gap and improve upon the skills she is gaining during the school year.”

“My children were at least two grade levels behind in reading. My 8-year-old girl could not even identify letters. Now she is reading three-letter words, and the boys are approaching grade level. I am so proud of their hard work. They love attending the reading program,” said Angela Hester, foster mom of three kids who have come to CLaRI for tutoring and summer camp.

Since 1963, CLaRI has been a community resource in Western New York for assessing children’s literacy development and providing individualized reading instruction, as well as serving as a literacy research center. CLaRI has helped thousands of children from 1st through 12th grade with various reading and writing needs through diagnostic and instructional services. Individualized instruction is provided using research-based strategies and activities tailored to each child’s literacy and learning needs. Each tutoring session includes real literature, hands-on learning activities and comprehensive instruction in reading, writing, spelling and vocabulary. Learn more about CLaRI’s initiatives at https://www.buffalo.edu/clari.html.