Faith Klemick, teacher of English as a second language at Irwin Elementary School, speaks to parents about the importance of reading to their children, during Family Reading Night in the school Oct. 11. EAST BRUNSWICK - Readers are created on the laps of their parents.

That was one of the messages last week during Family Reading Night at Irwin Elementary School, Racetrack Road, when schoolteachers told parents of kindergartners and first-graders that their encouragement of reading will help their children become better students.

"We really believe that," said Darlene Alderoty, a longtime district employee now in her sixth year as reading specialist at Irwin. "We work diligently in the schools to provide everything that a student needs, but the parents are really the first teachers."

Like other East Brunswick schools, Irwin holds events like reading nights at least once a year. Beth Warren, district supervisor of integrated language arts, "is extremely supportive of the independent reading program," Alderoty noted.

Such events, according to Trish LaDuca, coordinator of community relations for the district, "are ways to partner with parents in their children's education."

"As with every school in the district, we really take reading very seriously," Alderoty said. "It's more than just a subject, it's a way of life here. We want children to become lifelong readers."

Research shows that students who read at least 40 minutes a day score higher on standardized testing, she said.

And for those who aren't actually reading just yet, looking at books and pictures as the story is being read out loud is just as important. Alderoty likened that process to learning to walk, and how parents would be there to help and encourage them.

"It's the same with reading," she said. "It's a process. You build on what students know in order to take it to the next level."

And, she noted, there's an added benefit to reading - the student usually winds up loving it.