Questions often asked about promoting lifetime literacy efforts

Supporting lifetime literacy efforts is a "big-picture" perspective that not only helps children become proficient readers, but also nurtures their love of literacy. This instructional direction requires a strong commitment from teachers and administrators. This article outlines how educators can understand the importance of lifetime literacy efforts, provide appropriate resources for encouraging the love of reading, support strategies that motivate children to read for pleasure, promote the joy of reading across the curriculum, provide a balanced curriculum representing both lifetime literacy and skills instruction, foster lifelong literacy in students who struggle with literacy, and demonstrate awareness of obstacles to lifetime literacy efforts. Responding positively to these and other factors increases the chances that future generations of literacy learners will be able to read effectively and, as important, will engage in literacy as a lifelong activity.