As a parent, What can I buy and do that would help my child learn to read?

Books of their own, books that they can keep (or, go to the library regularly).
Books are expensive, but a very good investment for your child’s future. The
library is a great resource, too.

Buy baskets, bags, or plastic bins for books. This teaches children that books are special
and should be taken care of.  Or your child could decorate a cardboard box to make it
special for books.

Put books in places where there is “down” time when a child can look through a book:
- Bathroom
- Kitchen (turn off the television and put a book on the table, especially if you can’t stop and eat with your child)
- In your car
- Bag to travel with—a book can help keep a child happy on a bus
- Next to your child’s bed

Make sure that there is a bed lamp or reading light next to your child’s bed. Read your
child a story or look at a picture book together at bedtime. Tell your child that they can
have an extra 15 minutes before they have to sleep to look through books—or they can go
ahead and turn off the light! Staying up late is usually a great treat for children—connect
that treat with reading!

It is never too late to start reading to your child. If you are just starting, don’t pull your
child from a favorite activity to read—that makes reading a punishment! Choose your
times well!

Boring activities are always made better when someone is reading to you:
For example:
- Taking a bath
- Making lunches
- Cleaning up

If you don’t feel like reading, just look through the pictures together. Make a
comment about the picture, then pause and wait for your child to respond. The
comment can be very simple. For example, “Look, that dog looks really dirty.” Or
“that dump truck is really big,” or “That boy is eating ice cream. I like ice cream.”
Remember to wait for the child’s comment or question—sometimes it takes children
a while to process words and thoughts—they haven’t practiced talking nearly as
much as we have.


Early Reading First I CAN READ!
2007
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education