Help Your Child Become a Reader

Success in school depends on the ability to read. When children become good readers in the early grades, they are likely to become better learners throughout their school years.

The foundation of reading skills begins at birth. By offering your young children a wealth of opportunities for learning about spoken language (through talking, listening, singing, storytelling, and reading), you are helping them understand the sounds that make up language.

The more practice they have with language, the easier it will be for them to learn to decode the written word.

Babies and Toddlers

Begin talking with and singing to your baby from birth. Include nursery rhymes, lullabies, and simple naming games.

Let your baby know that the sounds she makes are important. Respond to your baby's sounds by repeating them and continuing the conversation.

Encourage your child to speak with you and answer her questions. Build her vocabulary by using complete sentences and introducing new words. Ask her to answer questions that require more than a "yes" or "no" response.

Read to your child enthusiastically and frequently. Ask questions and talk about what is happening in the story. Read favorite books again and again. The library has book lists to help you choose good books.

Preschoolers

Talk about what you are doing together, and teach your child the meaning of new words.

Draw attention to the sounds within words. Play with sounds using silly rhymes and tongue twisters.

Read to your child every day. Read predictable and rhyming books and old favorites. Talk about the books. Ask your child what she thinks will happen next.

Visit the library frequently. Bring your child to library storytimes and other programs for children. The library also has book lists to help you choose good books for your child.

Help your child recognize her name in print.

Point out words and letters everywhere-while grocery shopping, on street signs, in recipes.

Start teaching your child the letters of the alphabet and the sounds the letters represent.

Elementary Students

Help your child learn to listen for the sounds that make up words.

Practice the alphabet by pointing out letters and reading alphabet books.

Listen to your child read books to you, and continue to read books to your child.

Help your child with reading comprehension and reading accuracy.

Be a reading model. Make sure that your child sees you reading for fun and for information.

Keep informed of your child's reading progress at school.

Visit the library frequently. Bring your child to library storytimes and other programs for children. The library also has book lists to help you choose good books for your child.

Artwork by Rachel, age 5