What is SSR?

By Michelle Tucker
©2010 Michelle Tucker

     It's a simple acronym teachers use with students.  SSR stands for Silent Sustained Reading.  Research has shown, that if children will read for a sustained reading time of 20 minutes a day, their reading will improve.   What about more time, such as 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 100 minutes?  Well, the research also shows that more time doesn't have as much return for the investment of time, or bang for the buck.  In other words, to get the same improvement in actual reading skills to be able to read at higher levels, is optimal at 20 minutes.  The optimal amount of time is to have your child read 20 minutes every day to improve his reading.   So, if a teacher is asked, "What is the minimum amount of time I should have my child read?"  We teachers reply, "20 minutes."
     Of course, reading longer is encouraged.   Children are learning about a myriad of things in their universe, when they read and read and read.

     If you have a child that is a reluctant reader, here are some suggestions:
     My older child won't sit down and read:

• You can put the child on a timer.  Start with 5 minutes and build up to 20.  Set the goal and expectation that you want the child to get to 20 min. SSR.
• Use Positive and Negative Reinforcement.  Have something the child wants (a small reward or activity) for doing the reading; and/or have a consequence, when the child won't sit down and read the 20 minutes.

     My young child won't sit down and read:

• Very young children need the parent to model and read to them for 20 minutes.
• Also, the child can be "reading" the pictures in wordless books for 20 minutes.
• Then, start sharing the reading:  She reads one page, then the parent reads one page...
• Finally, when the child can read independently, let the child read through several short books during the 20 minutes.

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