Practical tips for the everyday world to increase literacy and become a life-long book-lover
Introduce books and reading early in life
Play games involving letters and sounds
Create a habit of reading—make it part of your everyday routine
Read the same book together, or read separately, but at the same time
Discuss what you are reading and ask questions
Draw pictures about what you have read
Choose words and phrases that you like and write them down in a word scrap book
Visit the library and join a reading group
One of the biggest issues facing young readers is what to read next. Choose books that hold your interest based on subject. Ask the librarian for suggestions on authors and titles—that’s what they are there for!
Read the entire oeuvre of one author at a time
In school, when you have to read material that doesn’t hold your interest, set a goal (5 pages or so) then take a short break to summarize
Read at night before bed—it helps calm you down and doesn’t over stimulate the senses the way that television can
Reading is the best way to build a strong vocabulary, and strong vocabulary is a big predictor of school success
Practice what you preach. If you want your child to become a reader, you must first be a reader yourself
Read everyday—newspapers, magazines, books, comics, or even the cereal box!
