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Young Readers

December 17, 2007

As you may have read or heard before, you are your child's first and most important teacher. You teach your child through everyday tasks that you do. In all aspects of your child's development, you want him to get a good start. Literacy should be no different. Below are some tips from the U.S. Department of Education to assist you in helping your child become ready to read.

• Talk to your infant and toddler to help him learn to speak and understand the meaning of words. Point to objects that are near and describe them as you play and do daily activities together. Having a large vocabulary gives a child a great start when he enters school.
• Read to your baby every day starting at 6 months of age. Reading and playing with books is a wonderful way to spend special time with her. Hearing words over and over helps her become familiar with them. Reading to your baby is one of the best ways to help her learn.
  
• Use sounds, songs, gestures and words that rhyme to help your baby learn about language and its many uses. Babies need to hear language from a human being. Television is just noise to a baby.
  
• Point out the printed words in your home and other places you take your child such as the grocery store. Spend as much time listening to your child as you do talking to him.
  
• Take children's books and writing materials with you whenever you leave home. This gives your child fun activities to entertain and occupy him while traveling and going to the doctor's office or other appointments.
  
• Create a quiet, special place in your home for your child to read, write and draw. Keep books and other reading materials where your child can easily reach them.
  
• Help your child see that reading is important. Set a good example for your child by reading books, newspapers and magazines.
  
• Limit the amount and type of television you and your child watch. Better yet, turn off the television and spend more time cuddling and reading books with your child. The time and attention you give your child has many benefits beyond helping him be ready for success in school.
  
• Reach out to libraries or community and faith-based organizations. These organizations can:
  • Help you find age-appropriate books to use at home with your child;
  • Show you creative ways to use books with your child and other tips to help her learn; and
  • Provide year-round children's reading and educational activities.

For more information on helping your child learn to read, go to http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln.

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