These six steps will start your children on the road to a lifetime of learning and reading.
- Read to children as often as possible. If you expose them to reading early and often, it will become a pleasurable experience they will want to repeat when they read on their own.
- Picture books can help struggling readers to comprehend a story before they can read all the words. Let them enjoy the process, without getting bogged down with the exact words. Let children ‘pretend to read’ using the pictures for guidance.
- Encourage young children to write and illustrate their own stories. Children have great ideas, make sure they are able to express these ideas freely.
- Set aside family reading or story time. This can be a read-aloud by the parent or by an older child. As children get older, this time can set aside just for independent reading, for adults (yes, you too) as well as children. It doesn’t matter so much what they read, as long as they enjoy it. When children see their parents finding enjoyment in reading, it helps them to see the benefit.
- Discuss books. Encourage children to talk about the books they are reading, what they like about a book and even what they don’t like.
- Get your child a library card. Reading doesn’t have to be an expensive pastime. Take them to the library often. Make it as much fun to them as a trip to a toy store. Let them choose their own books to read.
Read “There’s a Mouse on My Head!” with your child. Imagination is fun. Below is a quote from one of our reviewers.
“Mouse!” is the story of a special relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild. The grandmother is the protagonist. She’s a caring caregiver, a tough but cagey disciplinarian. The grandchild is the antagonist. He’s a clever kid who has no intention of eating his peas but has no such issues with pie.
A stuffed [toy] mouse comes to life, and a wisecracking sister enters the picture. High jinks ensue, and lessons are learned.
St. Louis Jewish Light review
Reblogged this on Dayne Sislen Children's Book Illustration and commented:
This is an oldie. It’s important to stress the impact of reading to your little ones at this time of year.
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Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
Give your children a gift that will last a lifetime. Give them a love for reading.
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Thank you for reblogging my post. I love your post on giving books to underpriviledged children. I think this is a great way for bringing more children into the reading fold. Now if we could just take them all to the library every week.
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As a writer and bookseller, I love a post like this…. I make it a mission to give books as gifts to children as often as I can, because I remember sitting in quiet corners as a kid with my own books, luxuriating in lush illustrations and private worlds (although it was my librarian mother who told me I came home crying from my first day at kindergarten because I didn’t learn how to read that day)… so there could be consequences — I mean other than having your daughter grow up to write Horror fiction!
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Thanks for your comment. My mother was also a volunteer librarian. I spent a lot of time at the library. My library card was well used.
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This is a wonderful post…and an very important one also. Let’s always vow to ensure each future generation is reading…learning…questioning…reasoning. It is the foundation for a solid quality of life.
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Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
This post is an excellent discussion of ideas on how to help children want to read. I recommend it highly.
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Thank you Charles for the re-blog. This message is so important for parents and grandparents to hear. I wish I could give a book to every young person or take them to a wonderful library to start them on the road to a life of reading.
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Thank you for an excellent post!
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Reblogged this on Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author and commented:
Share the gift of reading…
IT NEVER STOPS GIVING! ~ Bette A. Stevens
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Thanks Bette for reblogging this post.
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Reblogged this on Poetry by Pamela and commented:
I love children reading and being read to. These are some great points!
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Thanks for the re-blog. I hope a lot of parents and grandparents see this message.
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Wonderful! Sharing everywhere… 🙂
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Reblogged this on TheKingsKidChronicles.
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Pingback: 6 Tips to Encourage Your Child to Read | Love, Laughter, and Life
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Great tips from Dayne 🐵
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