Parents Make Successful Readers
It's never too early or too late to support your child's reading.
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Reading with BabiesShowing a few pages at a time, reading a few words, and pointing to pictures is a good way to start reading to a baby. Pay attention to your baby's interest and mood.
Repeat what your baby likes, have fun, and stop when your baby is fussy or not interested. Babies enjoy snuggling close and the sound of your voice. You can talk, add sounds, and make books more fun by interacting with your baby. Try out different books. You should have some cloth and cardboard books. I suggest allowing your baby to hold and even chew on some books. When your child turns two, you can teach the proper way to treat books. Babies and toddlers love the same books read over and over. Reading with Toddlers Toddlers are able to enjoy an entire story especially if they were introduced to books as babies. You can read the same books many times.
It's good for toddlers to listen to the same books over and over, so say yes to that 50th request to read a book. Toddlers should have durable books within reach to explore. Set aside at least one or two times per day for reading. Read as often as you can and at different times of the day. Keep reading times short and frequent. Toddlers will have favorite books. It makes sense to buy books for this age group. You might read a favorite book fifty times or more. Make guesses about what might happen in a story. Talk about big words. Ask who, what, when, where, and why questions. Share if a book reminds you of another book or something that happened in your lives. This type of talk sets your child up to be a reader who thinks about and understands his or her own reading. |
Reading with PreschoolersPreschoolers are learning to read from you.
Spend time reading and talking with your preschooler. Ask your child to make guesses about what might happen in a story. Talk about big words. Ask your child who, what, when, where, and why questions. Look for connections to another story or event that happened in your lives. Help your child create pictures in his or her head. Preschoolers like to share in the reading of stories with repeated language or stories they have almost memorized. It can be fun to stop and let a child complete a sentence with a predictable word or rhyming word. When children pretend read or read parts of a book, they begin to see themselves as readers. Preschoolers are old enough to take good care of books. Check out books from the library, but make sure you buy some books to keep as favorites. Most preschoolers like favorite stories read over and over. |
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This site is great even if you don't live in Montana:
Montana State Library's Ready 2 Read site has advice, book suggestions, activities, games, and resources.
Montana State Library's Ready 2 Read site has advice, book suggestions, activities, games, and resources.
Reading With Older Children
Many parents stop reading to their children once their children learn to read.
You can make a big impact on an older reader's reading skills by continuing to read aloud, listening to your child read, and helping your child find good books.
There are many websites to help you find books. You can ask a teacher or librarian for help. Encourage your child to ask their friends about books they have read. Talk to your child about interests. Read the first chapter of a book to get your child excited about a book.
Total Reader is a way to help you find out your child's reading level. Matching a reader to good books at the right reading level is one way to keep up motivation to read. If a book is too hard it's easy to get frustrated and give up.
Once you have a reading level, you can use Find A Book at Lexile.com to find books within a reading level range and search by interest.
You can make a big impact on an older reader's reading skills by continuing to read aloud, listening to your child read, and helping your child find good books.
There are many websites to help you find books. You can ask a teacher or librarian for help. Encourage your child to ask their friends about books they have read. Talk to your child about interests. Read the first chapter of a book to get your child excited about a book.
Total Reader is a way to help you find out your child's reading level. Matching a reader to good books at the right reading level is one way to keep up motivation to read. If a book is too hard it's easy to get frustrated and give up.
Once you have a reading level, you can use Find A Book at Lexile.com to find books within a reading level range and search by interest.