| Why read a book to an infant who does not yet | | | | missing words if you hesitate. |
| know the meaning of a word-or of words at | | | | |
| all? Why sing to a toddler who cannot | | | | • Let toddlers "write" shopping lists |
| understand your song? | | | | with you. They may want to watch you sort |
| | | | coupons and engage in other grocery store |
| Both of these activities help children make | | | | activities. |
| connections between words and meaning. They | | | | |
| also help to create a warm, safe environment | | | | • Take short trips to new places and |
| for children and lead to a lifetime love of | | | | talk about what is happening around you. If |
| reading and learning. | | | | possible, read together about similar events |
| | | | beforehand and again afterwards. |
| Some parents assume that learning to read | | | | |
| starts with memorizing the alphabet and | | | | • Give children magnetic letters for |
| sounding out words, but actually the | | | | the refrigerator, and begin spelling out |
| fundamentals of reading begin much earlier. | | | | words and names as toddlers are introduced to |
| Adults lay the foundation for reading every | | | | them. |
| day, when they point out objects and describe | | | | |
| what they are doing while dressing an infant, | | | | Preschoolers |
| grocery shopping with a toddler, or cooking | | | | |
| with a preschooler. | | | | • Encourage preschool children to carry |
| | | | out the steps to written recipes, or read |
| The most important thing is that teaching | | | | printed labels at the store. |
| children about reading becomes an activity | | | | |
| that brings children closer to the caring | | | | • At four or five, children may begin |
| adults in their lives. Here are some tips for | | | | to ask questions about the print they see in |
| families who want to help their children make | | | | books. Books with labeled pictures help |
| connections between meaning and words. | | | | children to connect words and objects more |
| | | | easily. |
| Infants | | | | |
| | | | • Play picture-card games with your |
| • Talk or sing to your baby when you | | | | child-but remember, they may not always play |
| change his diaper, give him a bath, feed him | | | | by the rules at this age! |
| lunch or join him in play. | | | | |
| | | | • Provide a variety of materials to |
| • Introduce cardboard or cloth books | | | | encourage children to "play" at writing and |
| with brightly colored pictures. Be aware that | | | | reading-checks or traffic tickets, menus or |
| at this point, your baby might enjoy looking | | | | greeting cards. |
| at, tossing, or chewing the books more than | | | | |
| being read to! | | | | Primary grade children |
| | | | |
| • Help increase your baby's vocabulary | | | | • Continue to read with your child, |
| by playing "What's that?" or "Where's the | | | | especially at bedtime, even if she has |
| teddy bear?" when enjoying books together. | | | | already learned to read. |
| | | | |
| • Point out words on signs at the park, | | | | • Visit the library on a regular basis |
| at the zoo, or when walking or driving. | | | | to make books a regular part of children's |
| | | | lives. Show children that you read books and |
| • As children begin to notice letters | | | | magazines for information and enjoyment. |
| on blocks or other toys, name the letters for | | | | |
| them. Read words aloud and explain what they | | | | • Listen to the stories children write, |
| mean. | | | | as well as their jokes or riddles. Encourage |
| | | | them to write down their ideas. |
| Toddlers | | | | |
| | | | • Play word games such as Boggle or |
| • Reading stories before bed makes a | | | | Scrabble with your child. |
| good transition between active play and | | | | |
| restful time. Toddlers may ask you to read | | | | Features advice from experienced dads on |
| their favorites repeatedly. They may begin to | | | | parenting, pregnancy, adoption, newborn baby, |
| connect pictures with words, or fill in | | | | and on raising kids and teens. |