1) Read aloud. From
the time they are infants, children respond to the sound of
their parents' voices. Make a ritual of reading to your kids
before bedtime or after school. They'll quickly recognize
the adventures that exist inside books, and they'll want to
read themselves.
2) Point out letters
and words that kids can recognize and identify. Start with
the letters in your child's own name, and build on those
sounds. If your child's name is Monica, ask her to think of
other words that start with the "mmm" sound.
During lunch, you can put items on the table such as milk,
mustard or melon for her to name.
3) Read along with
your child. If the two of you read in unison, your child
will learn how to sound out more difficult words. Then take
turns with each page - you read one, then she reads the
next. Soon, she'll be finishing the whole book on her own.
4) Give reading your
undivided attention. When you sit down to read with your
child - ideally for 15 to 30 minutes a day - focus on the
book to show how important reading is. Your child will look
forward to this time as a special part of the day.
5) Talk to your
child while you read. By asking questions about the plot
like "What do you think is going to happen?" or
"Why did the character just do that?" you'll
engage your child in the story and foster his comprehension
and enjoyment level.
6) Get your child
her own library card. She'll feel like a grown-up when she
selects books to borrow. A weekly library trip turns reading
into a treat.
7) Join a family
book group. For older kids, a book group that includes both
children and parents can be a reason to read. Ask each child
to recommend a favorite book, and hold a weekly or monthly
meeting to discuss the story. You can do this within your
own family, or ask your local library to help you set up a
community group.
8) Play word games.
A game of "I Spy" can easily be turned into a
word-learning activity. Start by saying, "I spy
something that starts with the letter B." Then let your
child sound out the names of objects around you.
9) Name familiar
items. Label big objects in your child's room so that he'll
become familiar with seeing words written out and he learns
to read the names of things like lamp, bed and rug.
10) Test his skills.
Check your child's reading readiness level at
www.qetreadytoread.org, a site sponsored by the National
Center for Learning Disabilities, where your child can take
a free online test designed for 4-year-olds which will
determine if your child's pre-reading skills are weak, strong
or somewhere in between. Plus, the site suggests activities
and resources that can help improve your child's skills.
