Helping Your Children Become Readers

Here are ways to interest your little ones in books and help them learn skills that will lead to reading:

1. Talk with your children as you play, shop, or work around the house. Listen to what they say. Ask questions.
When you talk to your children, you are helping them learn to use words.

2. Read to your children. Try to read to them at the same time every day. Bedtime or before a nap is a good time.
Let them choose the story.

3. Let your children see you read. That is the best way to show them that you think reading is important and that you enjoy it, too.

4. Ask older children to read to younger ones. The older children will be proud of their skills. The younger children will want to read like their older brothers, sisters, or friends.

5. Go to the library together. Ask the librarian for help in finding books your children will enjoy. If you don’t have a library card, ask for one.With a card, your family can borrow books.

6. Give your children books about their special interests. Do they like animals, sports, or magic? Surprise them with books or magazines about their favorite interests or activities.

7. Keep books, magazines, and newspapers around your home so you and your children will always have  something to read. Read aloud other things you see during the day. Read street signs, milk cartons, cereal boxes, and signs in store windows.

8. Plan outings for your children. Children learn from what they see and do. Take them to a park or a parade, or just out for a walk. Church and community groups also plan trips that your family might want to go on.

9. Say rhymes and poetry, or sing songs. Rhymes and songs are easy for kids to remember, so they can say them nd sing them along with the rest of the family. Rhymes also help them learn letter sounds.

10. Tell stories about your family and stories you enjoyed when you were a child. Ask grandparents and other family members to tell stories, too.Write down some of these stories and the ones your children tell. Save them to read aloud at another time.

If you are interested in more ideas and advice about encouraging children to read, visit RIF’s website at www.rif.org. Toll free: 1-877-RIF-READ.