Reading Strategies

​A Dozen Tips for Nurturing Your Growing Reader

  1. Read with your children at least once every day.
  2. Make sure they have plenty to read. Take them to the library regularly, and keep books and other reading materials in their reach
  3. Notice what interests each child, then help find books about those things.
  4. Respect your children's choices. There is nothing wrong with series fiction if that's what keeps a young reader turning the pages.
  5. Praise your children's efforts and newly acquired skills.
  6. Help your children build a personal library. Children's books, new or used, make great gifts and appropriate rewards for reading. Designate a bookcase, shelf or box where your children can keep their books.
  7. Check up on your children's progress. Listen to them read aloud. Read what they write and ask teachers how they're doing in school.
  8. Go places and do things with your children to build their background knowledge and vocabulary, and to give them a basis for understanding what they read.
  9. Tell stories. It's a fun way to teach values, pass on family history and build your children's listening and thinking skills.
  10. Be a reading role model. Let your children see you read, and share some interesting things with them that you have read about in books, newspapers or magazines.
  11. Continue reading aloud to older children even after they have learned to read by themselves.
  12. Encourage writing along with reading. Ask children to sign their artwork, add to your shopping list, take messages and make their own books and cards as gifts.

Top 5 Tips for Reading Aloud

  • Choose books that are of high interest for your child. This will make reading and enjoyable experience for you and your child.
  • Share and talk about the title of the book.
  • Encourage your child to make predictions and to think about how the story relates to your child’s personal experiences.
  • While reading, pause and discuss the characters’ actions and feelings.
  • At the end of the story or book, ask your child to tell about his/her favorite part and share with your child your favorite part.