Helping Your Child Become a Reader

Washington, D.C. – Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in helping children develop into good readers and writers.

Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on your child’s literacy and learning.

Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Children who can’t read well, can’t learn. Help make a difference for your child.

Tips to Help Your Child Read

• Invite your child to read with you every day.
• When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help your child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word said is the word seen.
• Read your child’s favorite book over and over.
• Read many stories with rhyming words and repeated lines. Invite your child to join in on these parts. Point, word by word, as your child reads along with you.
• Discuss new words. For example, “This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?”
• Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in the story.
• Read from a variety of children’s books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and information books.

From Reading Tips for Parents, U.S. Department of Education. Available online at http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/readingtips/index.html or call 1.800.USA.LEARN.