Help your child to become a Life Long Reader

The foundation for learning to read is in place long before children enter school and begin formal reading instruction. You can help to create this foundation by talking, listening, and reading to your children every day and by showing them that you value, use, and enjoy reading in your lives. These are 20 ways to make your child a life long reader:

1. Read to your child every night
2. Take turns with other adults to read aloud.
3. Create a library of books in each child's bedroom.
4. Tell stories to your children.
   
5. Get your children to tell you stories.
6. Ask family members to recall stories of family incidents.
7. Share and discuss articles from newspapers and magazines.
8. Read road sign and billboard out loud.
9. Play 'I Spy' in the car.
10. Listen to audio tapes/cd in the car.
11. Read a recipe together as you cook.
12. Read the movie advertisements together.
13. Write shopping list together.
14. Organize a library or book store membership for each child.
15. Take advantage of book fair program and special event.
16. Encourage children to read the label of food packages.
17. Enter reading competition.
18. Encourage your child to make a scrapbook.
    
19. Have a policy on television, computer games etc. 
    

As parents, the most important thing we can do is read to our children early and often. Reading is the path to success in school and life. When children learn to love books, they learn to love learning.