One of the most fundamental ways to help children succeed in school and life is to help them become strong readers. While the task of promoting reading in the home may seem overwhelming, there are some simple and fun ways parents can help promote a love of literacy to last a lifetime.
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Read aloud to your child.
According to the 1985 report “Becoming a Nation of Readers,” reading aloud is “the single most important activity for eventual success in reading.” Today, research still supports this and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents read to their children starting in infancy.
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Create a print-rich environment in your home.
Research shows that the more reading materials children have in their homes, the more likely they are to succeed at reading. Fill your home with books, magazines and newspapers.
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Help your child pick a book at the right level.
It’s good for children to explore a variety of books and hear books read aloud that are above their reading level. However, elementary-age children need independent practice at their reading level every day.
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Carve out a cozy corner to read.
Whether it’s a reading tent, comfy bean bag chair, or some giant pillows, give your child a snug book nook for reading.
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Partner with your public library.
The public library is a phenomenal resource for parents, with plenty of free activities, classes and displays to get the whole family excited about reading.
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Let your child get a library card.
Having their own library card gives children a sense of independence and may open the doors to a lifetime of reading – a priceless offer for a card that is free!
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Encourage your child to try different genres.
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Search for rare words or words your child doesn’t know when you read aloud.
Build your child’s vocabulary by defining words in the text that your child might not know, or see if he or she can figure out what the word means from its context in the story.
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Discover a fiction series that interests your child.
Many times I read the first book in a series aloud to my children and they become so interested, they finish the series on their own.
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Read classics with your child.
Chances are you will both learn new words and ideas. Some good ones to try are “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Anne of Green Gables,” “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “A Wrinkle in Time,” “Treasure Island,” “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and “Winnie the Pooh.”
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Volunteer to read aloud to your child’s class.
My daughter’s kindergarten teacher invited a “Mystery Reader” to her classroom on a regular basis. The Mystery Reader would knock on the door and the students waited excitedly to see which parent would be that day’s reader.
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When you read aloud as a family, do activities related to the book.
For example, read “Thunder Cake” by Patricia Polacco and then make the recipe for the cake at the end of the book.
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Subscribe to a children’s magazine.
From National Geographic Kids, to Cobblestone and American Girl, there are a plethora of kids magazines to choose from. Lego Club Jr. is a free magazine you can sign up for online.
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Say okay to comic books and graphic novels.
They are another interesting medium to diversify your child’s reading.
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Let your child read on screens, but also encourage them to read traditional books.
Reading devices are another way to get your child interested in reading, but research suggests that reading along to interactive screens takes away the important work a child’s imagination needs to do when they are hearing or reading a conventional book.
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When life is uncertain, read a calming book.
If your child is anxious about a life change or upcoming challenge, read a book about a similar situation together. Some examples: a new baby coming home, going into the hospital, moving away or feeling different at school.
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Visit your child’s favorite author’s website.
Find out how the author’s books came to life.
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Ask your child’s opinions about books.
Does he or she like the story? What problem does the character need to solve? What would your child do if he or she were in the main character’s shoes?
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Tickle a funny bone.
From Peggy Parish’s “Amelia Bedelia” to Sara Pennypacker’s “Clementine” or Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” a funny story is a good way to hook a book lover.
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Be a lifelong reader yourself.
Model reading every day to your children and they will be more likely to embrace the same literacy values.
Lead the way by reading aloud at least one book from each genre every year (historical fiction, mystery, fantasy, folktale, poetry, non-fiction, autobiography, biography and realistic fiction.)
Great Reading Resources for Parents
Books:
- “The Read Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease
Outlines why, how and when to read aloud to children. It also includes a treasury of recommended books for kids of all ages.
- “The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared” by Alice Ozma
After reading together for 100 consecutive nights, a father and his fourth-grade daughter continued their “streak” until she left for college.
- “Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time” by Jamie C. Martin and Tsh Oxenreider
Includes a reading treasury of books from around the world.
Websites:
- ReadingRockets.org
Full of tips, resources and book recommendations for parents of kids of all ages and reading levels.
- Scholastic.com
Not just for teachers, Scholastic has a section for parents that includes resources, book recommendations and more.
- ReadWriteThink.org
This website helps parents and educators encourage children’s endeavors in language arts. For grades K-12.
- PBSkids.org
Under the website’s education tab, there is a reading and language section with tips, activities and resources for parents.
Great Reading Websites for Kids
- StorylineOnline.net
Created by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Storyline Online features accomplished actors and actresses reading children’s books.
- Starfall.com
Children can read along with early readers or even write their own story.
- Abcya.com
Short Stories are read aloud while children follow along to highlighted text. Includes educational games for K-5.
- StoryNory.com
Features a collection of original, fairytale and classic children’s stories.
- Pbskids.org
Features reading games for kids.
- Creative Learning All Summer – 10 Tips to Incite Kids to Read and Write
