There is no more important activity for preparing your child to succeed as a

reader than reading aloud together. Fill your story times with a variety of

books. Be consistent, be patient, and watch the magic work.

Home is Where the Heart Is

It's no secret that activities at home are an important supplement to the

classroom, but there's more to it than that. There are things that parents

can give children at home that the classroom cannot give.

Start Young and Stay With It

At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your

voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by pointing

to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By drawing

attention to pictures and associating words with both pictures and real-world

objects, your child will learn the importance of language.

Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the

existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children

stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It

helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to

understand the written word. When the rhythm and melody of language become a

part of a child's life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to

walk and talk.

Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you

to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level,

but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers' understanding

and motivate them to improve their skills.

It's Part of Life

Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with

your child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don't be

discouraged if you skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just

read to your child as often as you possibly can.

If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with

each child, especially if they're more than 2 years apart. However, it's also

fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the same time. Most

children enjoy listening to many types of stories. When stories are complex,

children can still get the idea and can be encouraged to ask questions. When

stories are easy or familiar, youngsters enjoy these "old friends" and may

even help in the reading.

Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an

important message: Reading is worthwhile.

One More Time

You may go through a period when your child favors one book and wants it read

night after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular

story, and this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind, however, that a

favorite story may speak to your child's interests or emotional needs. Be

patient. Continue to expose your children to a wealth of books and eventually

they will be ready for more stories.

Talking About Stories

It's often a good idea to talk about a story you're reading, but you needn't

feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a love

for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need time

to think about stories they've read. A day or so later, don't be surprised if

your child mentions something from a story you've read together.

Remember When You Were Very Young

It will help, however, consider some things adult readers tend to take for

granted. It's easier to be patient with children when we remember how much

they don't know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so well that we

forget sometimes we ever had to learn them.

There's a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as

you read aloud.

Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read.

Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as

you read.

Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space.

Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and and one

for small letters.

Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of

such symbols. That's how young readers feel. But, a little patience (maybe by

turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to build

confidence.

Advertise the Joy of Reading!

Our goal is to motivate children to read so they will practice reading

independently and become fluent readers. That happens when children enjoy

reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food chains do for

hamburgers...ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading great stories and poems

to children.

We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having

access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity.

Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a

practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and

enjoy some precious leisure moments.

With your help, as your children begin a lifelong relationship with the

printed word, they can grow into adults who read easily and frequently

whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.