UNLV offering reading tips to youths

     By Sonya Padgett
     View staff writer
      Strong reading skills aren't only the key to academic success; the ability to read often translates into life success.
      That's why it's important children acquire an interest in reading at an early age, said Maria Meyerson, the director of UNLV's Literacy Development Center.
      The center is currently offering 10 weeks of low-cost tutoring for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Tutoring sessions are one hour with fees based on a family's income, ranging from a low of $25 up to $100.
      The service is geared toward helping a child improve his or her reading and writing skills by using a variety of methods such as computers, books, cassette tapes and other materials.
      "First of all, it's one-on-one tutoring," Meyerson said. "It's a good intense hour. Within the hour, we try to do a variety of activities."
      An informal assessment of each child is conducted to determine the child's strengths and weaknesses.
      Math isn't covered during the sessions; instead, tutors focus on increasing a child's ability to read and write because those skills are used for everything.
      "I think, in general, if a child can't read, everything else will be problematic," Meyerson said.
      Young children may view reading narrowly, thinking reading is a task performed only in school, when in reality, reading ties into almost every real-life situation.
      "Children in grades three and above don't see a purpose in reading," Meyerson said. "They don't see the connection between what they're being asked to do in a classroom and the real world."
      The tutors try to help children identify the link between reading and the real world. For a child who likes video games, a tutor may encourage him to read about his favorite game.
      "We try to find a child's strengths and build on them," Meyerson said.
      The program acts not only as a low-cost tutoring center, but also as training ground for teachers working on a master's degree and undergraduate students studying to become elementary school teachers.
      Tutors are highly qualified to provide services for the center, Meyerson said. Many of the graduate students have taught in a school setting and all have gone through hours of coursework. The tutoring program is an opportunity for the college students to put their knowledge to work. After they finish, they're licensed by the state as reading specialists.
      Seldom will the center turn a child down unless a parent is looking for a specific service. And while the center isn't set up as a special education clinic, they have worked successfully with children who have special needs, such as dyslexia and English as a Second Language, Meyerson said.
      "We want parents to understand that within 10 weeks we can't fix everything," Meyerson said. "But it is enough time to get a child motivated."
      Since Meyerson became director of the center in 1995, approximately 1,000 children have been tutored.
      "I think we're running a pretty good program here," Meyerson said. "I don't think you can find a private tutor for the amount (we charge)."
      The center will be able to accommodate about 80 children from February through April. Sessions are scheduled Tuesdays until April 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; Wednesdays, until April 12, from 5:30 to 6:30; and Thursdays through April 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
      Parents interested in enrolling their child in the program can call Meyerson at 895-3783.