Children whose parents read to them tend to become better readers and perform better in school. Other family activities such as telling stories and singing songs also encourage children's acquisition of literacy skills.

The percentage of children ages 3-5 read to frequently by a family member three or more times weekly increased from 78 percent in 1993 to 86 percent in 2005, according to a U.S. Department of Education survey. There were also increases in the percentage of children whose family members frequently told them a story (from 43 percent to 54 percent); taught them letters, words, or numbers (from 58 percent to 77 percent); and taught them songs or music (from 41 percent to 54 percent).

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

AROUND THE U.S.A.

LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL BEING CELEBRATED TODAY

An estimated 7,500 rallies are scheduled today as part of Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event saluting after-school programs.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is national chairman of Lights On Afterschool. For the first time, the Empire State Building in New York City tonight will be lit with yellow floodlights in recognition of Lights On Afterschool.

The event is sponsored by Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youths have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

NEXT WEEK

CHARACTER COUNTS

National Character Counts! Week, a celebration of the importance of developing good character in youths, is set to begin Monday. The event is sponsored by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. For more information about the celebration, visit www.charactercounts.org or call 800-711-2670.