Teaching Your Child to Read

Every step a child takes toward learning to readaloud about what you've read. From the time
leads toyour child is
another. Bit by bit, the child builds the knowledgeable to talk, ask him such questions about the
that isstory as,
necessary for being a reader. Over their first 6"What do you think will happen next?" or "Do
years, mostyou know what a
childrenTalk and listen.palace is?" Answer his questions and, if you think
Listen to stories read aloud.he
Pretend to read.doesn't understand something, stop and talk
Learn how to handle books.more about what
Learn about print and how it works.he asked. Don't worry if you occasionally break
Identify letters by name and shape.the flow of
Identify separate sounds in spoken language.a story to make clear something that is
Write with scribbles and drawing.important. However,
Connect single letters with the sounds theydon't stop so often that the child loses track of
make.what is
Connect what they already know to what theyhappening in the story.Look for Books!The books
hear read.that you pick to read with your child are very
Predict what comes next in stories and poems.important. If you aren't sure of what books are
Connect combinations of letters with sounds.right for
Recognize simple words in print.your child, ask a librarian to help you choose
Sum up what a story is about.titles.
Write individual letters of the alphabet.Introduce your child to books when she is a
Write words.baby. Let her
Write simple sentences.hold and play with books made just for babies:
Read simple books.board books
Write to communicate.with study cardboard covers and thick pages;
Read simple books.Children can take more thancloth books
one of these steps at the samethat are soft and washable, touch-and-feel
time. This list of steps, though, gives you abooks, or
general idealift-the-flap books that contain surprises for your
of how your child will progress towardbaby to
reading.Talking and ListeningFrom the verydiscover. Choose books with covers that have
beginning, babies try to imitate the soundsbig, simple
that they hear us make. They "read" the lookspictures of things that she sees every day. Don't
on our facesbe upset
and our movements. That's why it is soif at first your child chews or throws a book. Be
important to talk,patient.
sing, smile, and gesture to your child. Hearing youCuddling with the child as you point to and talk
talk is yourwith great
baby's very first step toward becoming aexcitement about the book's pictures will soon
reader, because it helps her to lovecapture her
language and to learn words. Hearing you talk isinterest. When your baby becomes a toddler,
your baby'sshe will enjoy
very first step toward becoming a reader,helping to choose books for you to read to her.
because it helpsAs your
her to love language and to learn words.As yourchild grows into a preschooler and kindergartner,
child grows older, continue talking with her. Askthe two of
her about the things she does. Ask her about theyou can look for books that have longer stories
events andand more
people in the stories you read together. Let herwords on the pages. Also look for books that
know youhave repeating
are listening carefully to what she says. Bywords and phrases that she can begin to read or
engaging her inrecognize
talking and listening, you are also encouragingwhen she sees them. By early first grade, add to
your childthis mix
to think as she speaks. In addition, you aresome books designed for beginning readers,
showing that you respect her knowledge and herincluding some
ability tobooks that have chapters and some books that
keep learning.Reading TogetherImagine sittingshow
your baby in your lap and reading a book tophotographs and provide true information rather
him for the first time. How different from justthan
talking!make-believe stories. Choose books with covers
Now you're showing him pictures. You point tothat have
them. In abig, simple pictures of things that she sees every
lively way, you explain what the pictures are.day.
You've justKeep in mind that young children most often
helped you child take the next step beyondenjoy books
talking. You'veabout people, places, and things that are like
shown him that words and pictures connect. Andthose they
you'veknow. The books can be about where you live
started him on his way to understanding andor about parts
enjoying books.of your culture, such as your religion, your
While your child is still a baby, reading aloud toholidays, or
himthe way that you dress. If your child has special
should become part of your daily routine. Pick ainterests,
quiet time,such as dinosaurs or ballerinas, look for books
such as just before you put him to bed. This willabout those
give himinterests.From your child's toddler years through
a chance to rest between play and sleep. If youearly first grade,
can, readyou also should look for books of poems and
with him in your lap or snuggled next to you sorhymes. Remember
that hewhen your baby heard your talking sounds and
feels close and safe. As he gets older, he maytried to
need to moveimitate them? Rhymes are an extension of that
around some as you read to him. If he gets tiredlanguage
orskill. By hearing and saying rhymes, along with
restless, stop reading. Make reading aloud a quietrepeated
andwords and phrases, your child learns about
comfortable time that your child looks forwardspoken sounds and
to. Chancesabout words. Rhymes also spark a child's
are very good that he will like reading all theexcitement about
more becausewhat comes next, which adds fun and adventure
of it.Try to spend at least 30 minutes each dayto reading.Show Your Child That You ReadWhen
reading to andyou take your child to the library, check out a
with your child. At first, read for no more than abook
fewfor yourself. Then set a good example by letting
minutes at a time, several times a day. As youryour child
child growssee you reading for yourself. Ask your child to
older, you should be able to tell if he wants youget one of
to readher books and sit with you as you read your
for longer periods. Don't be discouraged if youbook, magazine,
have to skipor newspaper. Don't worry if you feel
a day or don't always keep to your schedule.uncomfortable with
Just get backyour own reading ability. It's the reading that
to your daily routine as soon as you can. Most ofcounts. When
all, makeyour child sees that reading is important to you,
sure that reading stays fun for both of you!Whatshe may
Does It Mean?From the earliest days, talk withdecide that it is important to her, too.Learning
your child about what youabout Print and BooksReading together is a
are reading. You might point to pictures andperfect time to help a late toddler or
name what is inearly preschooler learn what print is. As you read
them. When he is ready, have him do the same.aloud,
Ask him, forstop now and then and point to letters and
example, if he can find the little mouse in thewords; then point
picture, orto the pictures they stand for. Your child will
do whatever is fun and right for the book. Laterbegin to
on, as youunderstand that the letters form words and that
read stories, read slowly and stop now and thenwords name
to thinkpictures.