Children and Reading

Spend time reading to your child from a very early age (even before you think that they understand the words or the story). They will be enthralled (at first, only for a minute or so) by the pictures and they will begin to associate books with that very precious thing - your undivided attention. Once they begin to understand the words and stories, they will have their favourite books which they will bring you to read to them time and time again ("Not the 'Hungry Caterpillar' again!" you will, no doubt, say!) but repetition is the way that children learn and the repetition of a favourite story is by no means boring to a child. Eventually, when they begin to read themselves, they will have an inbuilt love of books (or, rather, will associate reading with a pleasurable experience) and will experience the achievement of being able to read stories and find out knowledge from books by themselves.

Do what my mom did: Start very early, read to your child at bedtime, so she or he is cozy, & pick books both for the child's age, & a bit above it, to give them something to reach for. Don't read anything too exciting or scary before bed, but do find interesting books. They needn't be bland. What kind of books gave you a thrill to hear or read when you were small? Try those! Maggiepie "Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted." ~ Jules Renard, author (1864-1910)

Besides reading to them, try to find books that reflect interests they already have. There are books on everything. Also, don't tell them they can't read something because it's too easy. Sometimes a book you love may be something that's originally for younger people. You can always pick similar books at a more advanced level to supplement. And the opposite is true too. If they show interest in a book that's a little tougher than they usually read, don't discourage them. Let them read it, and show you're available to explain words they don't understand. Or that a dictionary is available. And one more thing. Don't treat reading like school or a chore. Don't give them lectures on how reading will build their vocabulary or teach them things. It's all true, but I don't think people love reading because of that. Don't be afraid to talk about the books with them if they're willing. But, don't make them think they have to be consciously aware of all the educational benefits every time they open a book. If a kid is naturally interested in learning more about a subject go ahead and recommend it based on what it can teach them. But, for the most part, don't go on to them about how educational it is. They'll learn from books without making reading sound more like something you're supposed to do, rather than something you'd choose to do fun. Also, just keep books available. All kinds of books -story books, joke books, and yes, educational books. And let them choose to read them. Again, you want this to be something they'd do, even when they don't have to.

First and foremost, read to them often. Try to read to them with passion and excitement. Use silly voices if it applies. Costumes or puppets if it keeps them interested. Stimulate their imagination in every way you can. Also, if you can afford it, once they start to develop a little bit of interest, I would highly recommend one of the Leap Tag Reader systems. It's a little pen that they touch to the pages of special Tag books and the pen reads to them. But it also stimulates the reading process. The pages also have educational games. But most of it is going to come from the way you read to them. Also, if they see you reading often, they're more likely to develop an interest in reading.

I have always read with my children from them being really small babies. Each of my children were enrolled in the public library as a baby and we would go every week and 'choose'first picture books and then story books. I read to all my children every night until they were quite old, starting with picture books and working up to Roald Dahl and Harry Potter books. My children also grew up with books in the house and with seeing their parents reading the books, thankfully they have all grown up to love the written word as much as I do.

I agree with everyone here. Read to your child. And make it as interactive as you can. When I was a kid, my parents and guardians always made it a point to read me bedtime stories. It was exciting and one of my favorite childhood memories. Not only did it give me the love of reading, but it also helped expand my imagination. I was so amazed by the stories before that it encouraged me to learn how to read books so that I can read more stories.

Read to your chid. Get books that are age appropriate and ones that they can learn to read easily...some very easy short rhymes are a good way to start. They are easy to memorize, and of course, he or she will recite from memory before they connect the words with the "sounds" and letter recognition; but they will be "reading" and this will also help to instill a love for it. As they begin to connect the "sounds" with the letters or words, progression to the phonetics happens and their reading skills begin to develop.

Read with them. Make it a pleasant experience for them. Encourage them to read on their own. And stock your house instead with books. Give them toys to play with, but let them read too. Don't force them to read though.

I started reading to my daughter when she was just a few days old, and bought her some infant play books (the soft kind). I continued this practice even if she wasn't really interested in what I was reading to her. I also let her see me reading and holding books, as well as took her to the library with me before she could really understand what a library was. Eventually, she got curious about the "things" that I was always holding in my hands and that constantly "had my attention". Monkey see, monkey do!

1. Give the example. If they see you reading every day, they will understand that it is something important. 2. Read them a story every day. It will help them opening their mind and fantasy. 3. When you read them a story, let them participating in the story watching the pictures, maybe they can read a small paragraph on their own. 4. If there is a public library in your neighbourhood, inscribe them and go with them to the library. Maybe even once a month they can borrow a book. Let them choose a book they want to read. 5. Once they finish reading/listening a book, ask them what was the story about. Keep them active and implicate them in the story. Afterwards, maybe they want to play that they are some persons from the story and replay it. Or they will imagine their own one.

Read to them, reading books that are fun and age-appropriate. Use different voices for different characters. Stop and ask them questions while you are reading the story. Read with them--have them read to you, but not in a critical way. Take them to bookstores and libraries often, and let them pick out their own books. Let them buys books instead of toys or other souvenirs (within reason(. Use books as part of your child's reward system. And make sure they see you reading too, and enjoying reading. Parents are always the best role models.

Be a model for your child. Try to read in front of him/her. Read her some stories that you think he/she will like. Find out what character she likes. For example if she/he likes Elmo buy a book about Elmo. Expose her to different reading materials with colorful and attractive features.