Research shows that families play an important role in children’s reading success. By reading aloud with your children and encouraging them to read on their own, you are helping them become better readers, better listeners, and better students. You are also helping them build vocabulary and language skills, and helping them gain knowledge about the world around them.When you read aloud together, children learn quickly that reading is important. And most of all they learn that reading is fun!

A few things you can do to get started:

• Make a commitment to read aloud at least once a day. It’s important to establish a routine.
• Select a time to read aloud. It can be anytime—morning, after school, bedtime—but try to make it the same time every day.
• Choose a favorite place to read aloud. It can be a bedroom, a living room, or any place you can read together comfortably.
• Remember to have fun! The more fun kids have reading aloud, the more they will love books and want to read them.

Reading to Young Children
Even before they know what words are, children benefit from watching and listening to you read aloud. Within their first year, they’re able to learn basic language and reading concepts, such as how to hold a book and that you’re reading words, not pictures. The earlier children grasp these concepts, the easier they learn to read
when they’re ready.

Ways to help your children get the most out of being read to:

• Read slowly, with expression. Try using different voices for different characters.
• Follow the words with your finger as you read. Your child will see that words are read from the left to the right of the page.
• Point to the pictures and say the names of objects and colors.
• Have your child help turn the pages.
• Ask your child to describe pictures, repeat phrases used in the story, and predict what will happen next.
• Take time to answer her questions.
• Read a variety of books. Continue reading old favorites, but don’t be afraid to try new stories.

Quick Tips!

• Take books everywhere (the car, bus, doctor’s office), and make the most of every minute.
• Read everyday items aloud: food labels, maps, menus, cereal boxes, road signs, catalogs, and newspapers.
• Ask your local librarian to help you find books that meet your child’s interests and needs.
• Set up a home library. A few books on a special shelf is a great start. And it doesn’t have to be expensive—used-book stores, yard sales, and flea markets sell books that children will treasure for years.

Source: Reading is Fundamental. Visit www.rif.org for early literacy information, tips and tools.