Ways to Support Reading

WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD’S READING AT HOME

-Have a cozy corner that invites reading and provide time for your child to look at books or read on his or her own.

-Read aloud daily even after your child can read independently.

-Visit bookstores and libraries with your child.

-Find out about when authors or storytellers are speaking at the library.

-Make signing and talking part of your daily routine.

-Talk about the story and pictures in the books you read together in a fun and natural way.

-Buy or make tapes of favorite books and songs to listen to at home or in the car.

-Respond enthusiastically to early attempts at reading and don’t worry about mistakes.

-Encourage risk-taking as children learn to read and memorize their first books.

Have your child chime in on repeated lines or a chorus.

-Take books with you wherever you go.

-Point out words around you, on signs and in stores for example.

-Write simple notes to your child.

-Tell “add on” stories as you hike or on a car trip.

-Encourage your child to tell stories from pictures in magazines, photographs and newspapers.

-Ask friends and relatives to give books as gifts.

-Talk about interesting words, characters in books, authors and illustrations.

-Point out ways to figure out words besides “sounding out” (by looking at pictures, reading on, breaking up the word into smaller words, thinking about what would make sense).

-Talk about books you enjoyed when you were little and ones you love now.

-When your child reads aloud, give enough time for her to correct her own mistakes.

-Help your child find information in books at the library.

-Play letter and word games like ABC bingo, Boggle and Jr. Scrabble.

-Subscribe to a children’s magazine (Zoo books, Your Big Backyard, Ranger Rick…)

-Celebrate the growth your child is making as a reader.