The number one thing a parent can do to help their child learn to read is read aloud to him or her.
1. Make listening to a story a regular part of your child's bedtime routine. This will help your child develop a lifetime habit of reading before he or she goes to sleep.
2. Help your child select the story or book. (Take turns selecting - sometimes you select and sometimes your child selects.)
3. Relax! Sit your child beside you, or make sure that he or she is lying comfortable in bed.
4. Talk very briefly about the cover, illustrations, and the book's title before you start.
5. Make sure that your child can see the pictures. Pictures help a young reader follow the story or understand the information in a nonfiction book.
6. From time to time, run your finger under the print to show that your voice follows the line of text.
7. After reading a story talk about it for a minute or two (not too long!) You might ask some questions, but be careful not to destroy your child's enjoyment of the book. Ask questions such as:
1. Make listening to a story a regular part of your child's bedtime routine. This will help your child develop a lifetime habit of reading before he or she goes to sleep.
2. Help your child select the story or book. (Take turns selecting - sometimes you select and sometimes your child selects.)
3. Relax! Sit your child beside you, or make sure that he or she is lying comfortable in bed.
4. Talk very briefly about the cover, illustrations, and the book's title before you start.
5. Make sure that your child can see the pictures. Pictures help a young reader follow the story or understand the information in a nonfiction book.
6. From time to time, run your finger under the print to show that your voice follows the line of text.
7. After reading a story talk about it for a minute or two (not too long!) You might ask some questions, but be careful not to destroy your child's enjoyment of the book. Ask questions such as:
- Why do you think he/she did that?
- What did you think was going to happen then?
- What might have happened if...?
- What did you learn about that you didn't know before?
- Did this book tell you what you wanted to know about...?