How to Raise a Reader

Fun is the ticket to raising a reader. Reading is not an elective in life, it's a necessity. Find out what your kids like and start reading about those subjects with them. Enjoy books together and let them see you read. The joy of sharing books is the most wonderful gift you can give your child.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A warm snugly toddler or perhaps a sullen pre-teen--whatever you have lying around
• A fun variety of books and printed materials
• Endless enthusiasm
• Patience
• A positive attitude
• The love of reading and a good sprinkling of fun.

How To Raise A Reader

1. Begin when your child is born. Read, sing, repeat nursery rhymes and point to pictures. Let your baby play with the book and maybe taste it. Hold the book so your child can see it clearly. Don't forget to continue reading with your children into their teen years but it's never too soon or too late to start.

2. Let your child see you read. Modeling the enjoyment of reading is extremely important. You can read any material that interests you including books, magazines and the newspaper. Have a big variety of printed materials in your home for you and your child. Reading blogs and on-line media is also a great way to promote learning through the Internet and new media devices.

3. Take advantage of your local libraries for family outings. Check out library, school and bookstore promotions and contests. Get recommended grade level reading lists from your child's teacher and work from the Newberry and Caldecott lists for award winning children's classics.

4. Help your child develop phonemic awareness, which is the understanding that words are made up of smaller sounds. Play games with the sounds and find words that sound alike. Talking about what words mean expands their vocabulary.

5. Make a special time and place in your home to read. Encourage older children to read to younger siblings. Nap time, bed time or after dinner are good times but so are times when you are "waiting" such as at the doctor's office, while in line somewhere or on trips. Audio tapes in the car, or even sharing your favorite ghost story while camping, all help to raise a reader. Give books to your child and to others as gifts.

6. Be a fan of silly reading! If your child loves "Captain Underpants" and "Junie B. Jones" then read that. Your little one may ask for the same book to be read over and over. Perhaps your child is turned on by bugs or dinosaurs or quantum physics. Hobbies are a great source. Read about them. Trying to read something that doesn't interest the child will turn into a chore for you and him.

Tips & Warnings

• When it's your turn to read, use lots of expression and an animated voice Ask questions about the story and discuss the characters. Ask the child open ended questions. Encourage little ones to point to the pictures and repeat words or pick out all the red things or count the words beginning with the letter S. Be an example to your children by letting them see you read books on a regular basis.
• Don't demonize other media. Don't make computers and TV the bad guys. Those things are not going away and we do a disservice to our children by saying "TV is bad, reading is good". Give children the freedom to choose what they want to read rather than what you think they should read. You can gently influence their choices later. Make it fun and not a chore and you will easily raise a reader.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• American Library Association
• Education World Resources for Teachers and Families
• Literacy Connections Promoting Reading Outloud to Children
• Caldecott Books and Award Material

[artinshamrocks]

on 6/3/2008 I'm spend my summer following this advice. This is good info but done in a light hearted manner-thanks.