Ways a Parent Can Help a Child Learn to Read

1. Read out loud to your child daily

Not just books. Point out and read out loud street signs, labels in the grocery store, episode names on TV shows, words you see all around you both in daily life.

2. Rhyme

Read poems and books that rhyme: nursery rhymes and Dr. Suess are popular for good reason! Make games out of finding words that rhyme. Makes up silly nonsense words that rhyme with your child’s name: Emma, Shemma, Lemma, Bemma, Wemma!

3. Ask Questions

Talk with your child about the stories you read together. What do you think will happen next? What clue does the picture give you about what might happen next? Did this character make a good choice? What would you do if you were the character? What was your favorite part of the story?

4. Have Books in Your Home

Keep a variety of books and other reading materials available to your kids. Picture books, novels, magazines… stories and non-fiction books about a variety of topics. I started my “collection” of books by going to used book stores, where I could find a wide variety of options for $0.25 or $0.50 each.

5.  ENJOY READING WITH YOUR CHILD!

Have fun with it! Make goofy voices. Laugh at the funny parts. Point out silly pictures.
Show your child that reading is something to enjoy and share.