Read, Read, Read!

As I was looking for handouts for our storytime parents this week, I came across a letter to parents with some great suggestions on how you can help your child at home with prereading skills. The best way, of course, to help your child learn to read is to read, read, read with them!

Here are a few other suggestions:

1. Let your child see you read by reading in front of them often. Not just books, but let them know you're reading street signs or signs in the grocery store. Read a recipe out loud as you're cooking together. Show them the importance of reading and how much fun it is for you too.
2. Set aside a special time each day to read with your child(ren). Bedtime is nice, but what about when they first get up and are still sleepy? (That's when I like to read!) I used to read board books with my children when they were eating a snack in their high chair because I knew I had their attention for a little bit--as long as the Cheerios hold out!
3. When you read to them, point your finger under words as you read them. It helps kids make the connection that the lines on the paper are the words you're saying.
4. Ask questions about the story or what's on the page as you're reading a book. "What do you think will happen next?" "Who is this?" It can be done in a fun way!
5. Set out a basket of books at home or give kids their own book shelf to fill with books to read. Or maybe a backpack with books that you can keep in the car to look at while you're driving.
6. Here's my favorite: "Take your child to the library." Sign them up for a library card and let them pick out some favorites to take home and read with you!