● Read to your child daily- even if they seem too young to understand you or old enough to read independently. This can be a good way to expose your child to more difficult reading material and to concepts that you'd like to explore together. Also, listening to an adult read is a great way for children to learn how to read fluently and with emotion.
● While you are reading with your child, pause occasionally to ask questions about the story: Why do you think [a character] did this? What do you think will happen next? Don't limit your questions to those that have right and wrong answers.
● Help your child connect what is read with his or her own experience. If you're reading about an animal, for example, remind your child of your observations of that animal in your backyard or at a zoo. Look for differences as well as similarities between print and experience.
● If your child is a reluctant reader, start by reading about topics in which he or she is interested. One book (or author) is likely to lead to others.
● If your child does not like a book, do not force him or her to finish it. You might read a portion of the book to or with the child to attempt to spark interest, but if the child remains uninterested, set the book aside.
● If your child is reading aloud and miscalls a word but has the correct meaning, do not mention the error. Most of life's reading is done silently for comprehension, not orally for perfection.
● If your child misreads something while reading aloud and seems oblivious to the error that totally changes or destroys the meaning, ask at the end of the sentence, "Did that make sense?" You are teaching your child to search for meaning in what is read.
● Read some of the books your child reads so that you can discuss them together. Sometimes read different books on the same topic that your child is reading about.
● If your child is browsing through a book looking at pictures and other graphics but reading little, recognize that he or she is developing good previewing techniques. Don't require that every word be read.
● If your child is reading for information, encourage him or her to have a question in mind so that the reading has more purpose.
● Take your child to the library regularly.