Share your joy of reading with your child

• Begin with books that you enjoy - Until you discover what your child likes to read, select books that you loved when you were little, and other new stories that strike your fancy. Your child is more likely to enjoy a book that you get a kick out of yourself. Visit your local library and ask the children's librarian to suggest authors and titles kids love.
  

• Make Reading routine - set aside a regular time each day to enjoy a book together. Fifteen to 30 minutes, or whatever it takes to read a whole story or chapter, and plenty of time to give the young reader a chance to settle down, focus and enjoy the experience!

• Model good reading behavior - Your child watches you when you read. If you don't seem to be enjoying yourself, you're sending a message that reading isn't much fun. No matter how tired you are, try not do drone. Put your heart into reading! Let the actor in you emerge. If you sound bored, you can't expect your child to be interested.

• Take turns reading - As your child matures as a reader, encourage him/her to read to you - with lots of expression. "Reading" can also mean having a very young child tell you a familiar story as you flip the pages, or have him/her read along with you.

• Build a home library - Get in the habit of taking your child to the library and try to fill bookshelves at home. Give a book for every birthday, and holiday. Encourage friends and relatives to do the same. Books are cheaper than toys, and are a far better investment in your child's future!

Other ways you can help your child:

• Listen to them and pay attention to their problems.
• Read with them.
• Tell family stories.
• Limit their television watching.
• Have books and other reading materials in the house.
• Look up words in the dictionary with them.
• Encourage them to use an encyclopedia.
• Share favorite poems and songs with them.
• Take them to the library - get them their own library cards.
• Take them to museums and historical sites, when possible.
• Discuss the daily news with them.
• Go exploring with them and learn about plants, animals, and local geography.
• Find a quiet place for them to study.
• Review their homework.
• Meet their teachers.