When parents help their children learn to read, they help open door to a new world. As a parent, you can begin an endless learning chain: You read to your children, they develop a love of stories and poems, they want to read on their own, they practice reading, and finally they read for their own information or pleasure. They become readers, and their world is forever expanded and enriched. This newsletter focuses primarily on what you can do to help children up to 10 years of age. During these years you can lay foundation for you child to become a lifelong reader. There is no need to worry about amount of time you need to devote, it is quality of time that counts. Just be consistent—give as much time as you can each day to help your child. The activities suggested are designed to fit into busy schedules. Helping your child become a reader is an adventure you will not want to miss. The benefits to your child are immeasurable, and in process you will find your world becoming richer as well.

Why? Do you ever get tired of hearing that same old question? But Why? Just remember, best way for children to learn is to ask questions. Every child has a natural curiosity and their very own imagination. As a parent, or caregiver, you can awaken your children to joy of learning by encouraging their imagination and curiosity. For instance: Picking up toys does not have to be a chore that you dread, instead make it into a game of sorting; - sorting is a major function in math and science; let your child help you cook a meal—cooking involves not only math and science but good heath as well, tell stories together—storytelling is basis for reading and writing. By doing things together, you will show that learning is fun and important. You will be encouraging your child to study, learn, and stay in school.

Where to Begin There is no more important activity for preparing your child to succeed as a reader than reading aloud together. Fill your story times with a variety of books. Be consistent, be patient, and watch magic work. At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child be pointing to pictures, and saying names of objects. By drawing attention to pictures and associating words with both pictures and real-world objects, your child will learn importance of language. Child learn to love sound of language before they even notice existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand written word. When rhythm and melody of language become a part of a child’s life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to walk and talk. Even after children learn to read by themselves, it is still important for you to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest, level, but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers’ understanding and motivate them to improve their skills.

The Joy of Reading Children learn from example. The best example you can give is to show your child your love of reading. You can do this by not only reading to your child, but by letting your child see you read. We can help our children find tools they need to succeed in life. Having access to information through printed word is an absolute necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds, we can also relax and enjoy some precious leisure moments. With your help, your children can begin a lifelong relationship with printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.

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