TIPS for Parents of First Graders

Give your child lots of opportunities to read aloud. Inspire your young reader to practice every day! The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child. 

• Don’t leave home without it
  Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor's office. Always try to fit in reading! 

• Play word games

Have your child sound out the word as you change it from mat to fat to sat; from sat to sag to sap; and from sap to sip. 

• Once is not enough

Encourage your child to re-read favorite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more quickly and accurately. 

• I read to you, you read to me

Take turns reading aloud at bedtime. Kids enjoy this special time with their parents.

• Dig deeper into the story
  Ask your child questions about the story you've just read. Say something like, “Why do you think Clifford did that?” 

• Gently correct your young reader
  When your child makes a mistake, gently point out the letters he or she overlooked or read incorrectly. Many beginning readers will guess wildly at a word based on its first letter. 

• Take control of the television
  It's difficult for reading to compete with TV and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity. 

• Talk, talk, talk!
  Talk with your child every day about school and things going on around the house. Sprinkle some interesting words into the conversation, and build on words you’ve talked about in the past. 

• Be patient
  When your child is trying to sound out an unfamiliar word, give him or her time to do so. Remind to child to look closely at the first letter or letters of the word. 

• Write, write, write!
  Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he is learning at school.  

• Pick books that are at the right level
  Help your child pick books that are not too difficult. The aim is to give your child lots of successful reading experiences.