| What are the best ways to ensure that your | | | | know the letter names and sounds. Sing the |
| young child loves reading and doesn't find it a | | | | alphabet song. Before you know it your child will |
| daunting task and a chore? | | | | know the letters of the alphabet. |
| The top thing you can do is set an example. If | | | | When you read with your child which you should |
| you show how you value reading, enjoy it and | | | | do every day, make is a loving and rewarding |
| your child can see the benefits then they are | | | | experience. Sit close, chose a book each so your |
| much more likely to see reading as an integral | | | | child has a choice and you share a favorite book |
| part of everyday life. | | | | too. Say why you picked that book and what you |
| Show your child how useful reading is. Read for | | | | enjoyed about the book when you have read it. |
| information, read recipes, read on the internet, | | | | When reading use different voices and read with |
| read the post, magazines, instructions and | | | | as much expression and fun as possible. |
| newspapers. Demonstrate how to find things out | | | | Encourage your child to point to the words with |
| and how essential reading is to help us do things. | | | | you as you read. Point out words as you go |
| Start a book collection for your child. Start with | | | | especially repeated words. |
| the library and then buy your child's favorite | | | | Pick a letter or sound such as 'sh' or 'th' and play |
| authors books. Leave the books on low shelves | | | | spot the letter in the book. Or play find something |
| where your child can access them freely as and | | | | beginning with a letter. |
| when they want to. | | | | Don't make your child read any words if they |
| Put posters with alphabet characters in your child's | | | | don't want to. |
| room. Look at them together often pointing out | | | | Don't ever say NO that's wrong - EVER. Simply |
| the letter names such as A B C and the sound | | | | say 'good try' and say the word correctly for |
| they make, a, b c. Don't worry about saying the | | | | your child. |
| letter sounds or names. Most children will learn | | | | Encourage all attempts to say a letter of word, |
| both at the same time with little problem. Some | | | | give plenty of positive reinforcement and positive |
| reading schemes make a fuss over this but I just | | | | feedback. That way your child will experience |
| taught my children a say a for apple and A says | | | | success and love reading. |
| A for Acorn. Before you know it your child will | | | | |