Tip Sheet for Parents

Help Your Child Develop a Love of Reading

Reading is the cornerstone to success at every grade and subject level. According to the International Reading Association, when children are read to frequently at home, when their questions about books and print are answered, when they are given access to reading and writing materials, and when they receive positive reinforcement about literary activities, there are positive effects on their reading and writing abilities.

Tips for Reading with Your Children

· Do it every day and pick a regular time. By doing so, you demonstrate that reading time is important.

· Read the book before you read it aloud. Reading aloud is performing. You’ll do a better job if you’re familiar with what you’re going to read.

· Read books you like. If you like the book, odds are your child will also. Start by reading books you enjoyed as a child.

· Leave them wanting more. Stop your day’s reading at a point where your children are eager to hear what’s next.

· Switch places. Let your child read to you one day and you read to your child the next.

· Read articles from magazines, newspapers and other materials aloud.

· Read for information and for fun.

Talk with Your Child about Your Reading Habits

· Do you preview the text by reading the main headings and looking at the pictures when you read?

· Do you make predictions about what you think will be in the novel or article?

· What do you do when you do not know a word?

· Do you make a guess and keep going or do you sound out every word you know letter by letter?

· What do you do when you have trouble understanding what the author said?

· Do you reread, summarizing what you have learned so far, and read further to see if you can get more information?

Ask Your Child Questions
Ask your child to tell you about the book he or she is reading. Some sample questions include:

 

· What do you think the book is going to be about?

· How can you tell?

· Were your guesses correct?

· Were you given clues that something else was going to happen?

· What was your favorite part of the book? Why?

Other Helpful Hints

· Find movies based on books. Then read the book and compare or vice-versa.

· Subscribe to magazines targeted at your child’s interests.

· Have a reading light in your child’s room so he/she can read anytime.

· Start your child on series books.

· Get children hooked on books by beginning a book and allowing them to finish on their own.

· Encourage your child to retell the story or story parts.

· Invite your child to read the newspaper with you. Talk about an article that is on a subject of interest to your child. Even young children can gain information from pictures and can read some of the comic strips.

· Offer your child educational experiences outside school and the home. Visit parks, zoos, museums and historical sites.

 

 

Source: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 301 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27601-1612; http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/.

 

Excerpt:  PRincipal Communicator, August 2004, published by the National School Public Relations Association