Ways Parents Can Help Children with Reading
1. Help the child to get the idea that reading is enjoyable. A child whose parents
read with them and to them. from the first
baby-picture
boQks.
takes reading as an enjoyable part of evefjlday living.
2. Read with and to your child even after she can read for him/herself.
still be enjoyable to do it together.
A child's interest
It can
often goes beyond
what she is able to read easily for him/herself.
3. Let your child read to you when he/she brings some of his reading home from
school. Be appreciative and attentive.
It is a big moment for the child. It is
a moment for commendation and encouragement.
4. Surround the child with books to read. The influence of a book-filled home is
potent. Let the child have books of his/her o~n. suitable for him/her.
B. Using one's own boo.ks is a real stimulus to reading. Let the child use and
handle his/her books. Teach him/her to take care of them. yes. but do not
insist they must be kept to use only on special occasions. They will become
battered in the process. but a chila ~omes to love books most when he/she
handles and uses them.
6. Go to the public library with the child and help him/her_browse among the
books and make her selection on ones to borrow. It.is -useful for children to
find out very early what a rich store of enjoyment there is at the librarj;-not.
on Iy books to borrow. but the story hour. if there is one. to enjoy.
7. Make up stories for and with the child. A child enjoys stories of what
mother and dad did when they were children. Putting the stories il:1a book
as is done at school adds dignity and offers opportunity to read and reread them.
..
.
8. The family bulletin board that many families use for messages and for
posting items of interest makes a natural reading opportunity.
It can get
to be a family habit to post a funny story. the we~ther.forecast.
a scrap of
poetry. or a note of where one has gone with time of return. A bulletin board
is a wonderful motivation for reading.
9. Provide a place to read and a time to do it. It takes thought
in our busy days for reading.
watchfulness
not to interrupt
but reading
is important.
reading unnecessarily.
to provide time
It takes
\
!
10. Suggest books or pamphlets that help the child do better with what he/she
wants to do. It may be making a collection of some sort. training'a dog. or
building a bird house. Whatever it is. it gives good reason for reading if
things
are at hand to read.