Building Strong Readers
Summary of the Year 2025
by Mark B.
​​There are few times that are sweeter than feeling a soft, warm baby snuggled up against you. The close tenderness of those moments can stay with you for a lifetime.
A baby comes attached to a parent's hopes and dreams of what they wish that baby's life could be. Whether the parent thinks about it, or not, the success of most of those dreams hinges on whether that little baby grows up to be an effective reader. What makes a baby love reading?
One lesson a parent figures out is that children learn to love reading by being read to. You need to read to them at a young age. Babies love the closeness of being held and hearing their parents' voices.
Reading should be pleasurable for all of the participants. Relax. Breathe. Read. Choose something that you want to read that is appropriate for the baby's mood.
Hold the baby closely in a comfortable position. Read with expression. Read for as long as the child is enjoying the experience. When the baby gets restless, bring the reading to a sweet ending. That's the beginning of building a strong reader!
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What are your favorite books to share with children? Tell us about them on the CONTACT page. Who knows? Your book information could be published on our website!
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Looking back on 2025, my heart swells with pride and gratitude for every single step I’ve taken and every goal I’ve fought to reach. This year has been a rollercoaster of raw emotions—ups that soared, downs that challenged my spirit, yet through it all, I refused to give in. I pushed myself harder than ever, fueled by a burning passion and unwavering determination.
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One of my deepest dreams was to write five articles before the year ended, and I am overjoyed to say I made it happen! This achievement isn’t just about the words on paper; it’s about believing in myself when no one else fully did. A special shoutout to my incredible former instructor, Connie Davidson, from my second year in the CONNECT Program at Johnson County Community College.
She ignited a fire within me, reminding me of my worth and the dreams I carry in my heart. She challenged me to rise above doubts and pushed me to see the limitless possibilities ahead. Despite my family’s lack of full support for my writing, I refuse to let their doubts define me. I am determined—more than ever—to keep pushing forward, to keep writing my story.
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Graduating from the CONNECT Program was a monumental milestone I achieved completely on my own. I remember the doubts, the scoldings, the worries; yet I persevered. My aunt stood by me, fiercely committed to seeing me succeed, even if she thought I needed a push in the right direction. And I did it! I finished every required hour. I proved that my dreams are worth fighting for. Sometimes, I think my aunt loves taking charge of my journey because she believes in my potential—even if our visions don’t always perfectly align. I am eternally grateful for her belief in me.
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Looking ahead, I am bursting with excitement for the goals I’ve set in 2026. I am ready to chase new heights, to prove to myself—and to everyone who doubts—that with unwavering support from my friends and family, I can conquer anything. Their belief in me has been a beacon of hope, lighting my way through every challenge. I want my loved ones to see my achievements, to feel proud of how far I’ve come.
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2025 was one of the most incredible years of my life, a testament to resilience, hope, and relentless passion. I am endlessly grateful for the unwavering support of my investors, family, friends, and inner circle. Their love and understanding have carried me through every moment of doubt.
This year reminded me that with faith, perseverance, and a community behind me, I can truly achieve anything I set my heart on.
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If you have a story to tell about your life with ADHD or other neuro-difference, let us know on the Contact Page.
Readers' Corner - exploring reading for pleasure.
Reading for Pleasure - a reading strategy that changes lives
When I was in my grad school program, I learned a reading strategy called "Reading for Pleasure." It is an amazing program that can improve the lives of struggling readers. It's easy! Have the reader select a book of their choice at their reading level. How can you tell if the book is appropriate? You don't need to be a reading teacher. If they can easily read a random passage of about 100 words from the book, it's a good choice for them. If they stumble over words and hesitate while reading, then it is too hard. They need to find another book.
Reading for Pleasure is done daily, at least five days per week. Once the reader has their book, they need to read it for at least 20 minutes per day. After the 20 minutes of reading, the reader writes in her journal. The journal can be a notebook or she can use a computer. She puts the name of the book (the first time she writes about the book), the date, and which pages were read. Then, the student paraphrases what they have read. They tell about the story in their own words. They do not copy any sentences from the book. In fact, it helps them learn to retain information when they seldom look at the book after they finish reading. I discourage, but do not forbid, looking back in the book. One thing that helps is if they can discuss what they read with somebody else. That helps them get their thoughts in order. Then, they write in the journal. Have the reader share with another person what they wrote in their reading journal . That's it!
I have known middle and high school students to increase their reading scores 2-3 grade levels in one semester, when they are doing this program daily. Their academic lives improved greatly!
Words Bring Wisdom!
"It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop."~Confucius
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"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."~Michael Jordan
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"Believe that you can and you're halfway there."~Theodore Roosevelt