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Helping
your child become a reader is the single most important thing that you can
do to help the child to succeed in school—and in life. Early literacy and
reading is the biggest indicator of future school success. More important, it is the key to lifelong learning. Here are some
tips on how to help your child become a reader.
Start
early. When
your child is still a baby, reading aloud to him should become part of your
daily routine. At first, read for no more than a few minutes at a time,
several times a day. As your child grows older, you should be able to tell
if he wants you to read for longer periods. As you read, talk with your
child. Encourage him to ask questions and to talk about the story. Ask him
to predict what will come next. When your child begins to read, ask him to
read to you from books or magazines that he enjoys.
Make sure that your home has lots of reading materials that
are appropriate for your child.
Keep books, magazines and newspapers in the house. Reading materials don't
have to be new or expensive. You often can find good books and magazines
for your child at yard or library sales.
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Ask
family members and friends to consider giving your child books and magazine
subscriptions as gifts for birthdays or other special occasions. Set aside
quiet time for family reading. Some families even enjoy reading aloud to
each other, with each family member choosing a book, story, poem or article
to read to the others.
Show that you value reading.
Let your child see you reading for pleasure as well as for performing your
routine activities as an adult—reading letters and recipes, directions and
instructions, newspapers, computer screens and so forth. Go with her to the
library and check out books for yourself. When your child sees that reading
is important to you, she is likely to decide that it's important to her,
too.
If you feel uncomfortable with your own reading ability or if you would like
reading help for yourself or other family members, check with your local
librarian or with your child's school about literacy programs in your
community.
Get help for your child if he has a reading problem.
When a child is having reading difficulties, the reason might be simple to
understand and deal with. For example, your child might have trouble seeing
and need glasses or he may just need more help with reading skills. If you
think that your child needs extra help, ask his teachers about special
services, such as after—school or summer reading programs. Also ask teachers
or your local librarian for names of community organizations and local
literacy volunteer groups that offer tutoring services. |
