Learning how to read is one of the most important things a child learns. Becoming a strong reader and developing good reading comprehension is essential in the learning process and also for future success. One of the greatest challenges involved in reading is getting your child to be enthusiastic about it and to read on a daily basis.

So what do you do if your child prefers hours in front of the television rather than behind a good book? The trick is to make reading seem like a more exciting activity and to lead by example. Here are a few suggestions for getting your child enthusiast about reading.

How to get your child enthusiastic about reading
    •    Find books and magazines in topics your child is interested in
    •    Leave reading materials in various places around the house
    •    Be a role model – make sure your child sees you reading for pleasure
    •    Take your child to the library regularly and let them pick out a book of their choice
    •    Play reading related games
    •    Set aside a regular reading time for your family
    •    Read aloud to your child
    •    Pair a book with a field trip – If they finish a book on planes, take them to a museum of flight

Tips for reading success
Once you conquer the battle of getting your child to read, how do you help them improve? Nothing works better than practice, so get them reading as much as possible. Here are some additional tips for helping your young reader get even better.

    •    Read with your child every day
    •    Point to each word as you read aloud together
    •    Read your child’s favorite book over and over
    •    Read stories with repeated and rhyming words
    •    Discuss new words – if your child comes upon a word they don’t know, take time to go over it and have them use it in a sentence
    •    Stop every few pages and ask your child what is happening in the story
    •    Read from a variety of different topics and genres
    •    Create a reading rewards program with your child

The overall goal is to not only for your child to master the art of reading, but also to be excited about it. Reading at school alone is not enough practice time and you should encourage your child to read at home to help expand their vocabulary and strengthen their reading comprehension.

Additional Resources
    •    Reading is Fundamental
    •    Raising A Reader
    •    Reading Rockets
    •    5 Techniques for Improving Your Reading and Studying Skills
    •    Reading Tips for Parents
    •    U.S. Department of Education – Reading Tips for Parents
    •    Reading Tips
    •    Tips for Summer Reading
    •    Top 10 Way to Improve Reading Skills
    •    Helping your Child Sound out Words