| Inspiring your child to read could be the | | | | Remember the percentages of communication |
| single most important thing you can do to | | | | above. |
| help him succeed in school. Stories are an | | | | |
| excellent way to stimulate the mind and | | | | Know When to Stop |
| expand the imagination for all of us. | | | | |
| | | | Little by little is the key. Reading should |
| Starting early with your child is the key to | | | | be fun time. If your child is losing |
| a life-long passion for the written word. Use | | | | interest, put the book away for a while. If |
| the tips below and watch your child develop | | | | reading time is not surrounded by positive |
| into a proficient reader. | | | | feelings then negative feelings will emerge. |
| | | | It is very difficult to re-establish the fun |
| Read Together Every Day | | | | in reading when apprehension surfaces. |
| | | | |
| Read to your child everyday with different | | | | Talk About Writing |
| voice tones. Sometimes you can be fun, crazy, | | | | |
| and exciting, other times be serious and | | | | Ask your child what she thinks it would be |
| intriguing. Even if your child does not | | | | like to write a book like the ones she loves. |
| understand all the words, you are making | | | | Mention to her how it's interesting how we |
| reading fun and interesting! | | | | read from left to right and how the text is |
| | | | separated by spaces, commas, and paragraphs. |
| Have Your Child Read to You | | | | |
| | | | Point Out Words Everywhere |
| Make this a warm loving time where your child | | | | |
| feels safe to make mistakes. Have your child | | | | Talk about written words you see in your |
| repeat after you. Start with simple phrases | | | | community: road signs, advertisements, bumper |
| and words and move forward as your child | | | | stickers, and grocery stores. Challenge your |
| progresses. | | | | child to find at least two new words on each |
| | | | outing. Then celebrate her discoveries with |
| Show How Much You Love to Read | | | | positive body language, exciting tones of |
| | | | voice, and positive words of encouragement. |
| Tell your child that you need a certain | | | | |
| amount of time every day to read by yourself. | | | | Follow the above tips and watch your child |
| "This is my time," tell her. This shows how | | | | develop a strong vocabulary and passion for |
| much you enjoy reading. Research shows that | | | | the written word. The importance of reading |
| 55% of communication is body language, 38% | | | | with your children cannot be over emphasized. |
| tone of voice, and only 7% the content. If | | | | |
| you are reading and enjoying it, your child | | | | Reading is a wonderful way to bond with your |
| is more likely to model that behavior. You | | | | children and provides memories they will |
| may even find your child picking up your | | | | carry with them all their lives. Proficiency |
| books and pretending to read. | | | | in reading, more than any other skill, |
| | | | increases their potential for success in |
| Get Excited About Reading With Your Child | | | | school and as an adult. |
| | | | |
| Throughout the day tell your child how much | | | | In short, reading with your children is a |
| you are looking forward to "Story Time!" | | | | gift that gives for a lifetime. |