Helping your child become a reader is the single most important thing that you can do to
help the child to succeed in school—and in life. The importance of reading simply can’t
be overstated. Reading helps children in all school subjects. More important, it is the key
to lifelong learning. Here are some tips on how to help your child become a reader.
*|  Start early. When your child is still a baby, reading aloud to him* should become part
of your daily routine. At first, read for no more than a few minutes at a time, several
times a day. As your child grows older, you should be able to tell if he wants you to
read for longer periods. As you read, talk with your child. Encourage him to ask
questions and to talk about the story. Ask him to predict what will come next. When
your child begins to read, ask him to read to you from books or magazines that he
enjoys.
*| Make sure that your home has lots of reading materials that are appropriate for your
child. Keep books, magazines and newspapers in the house. Reading materials don’t
have to be new or expensive. You often can find good books and magazines for your
child at yard or library sales. Ask family members and friends to consider giving your
child books and magazine subscriptions as gifts for birthdays or other special
occasions. Set aside quiet time for family reading. Some families even enjoy reading
aloud to each other, with each family member choosing a book, story, poem or article
to read to the others.
*| Show that you value reading. Let your child see you reading for pleasure as well as
for performing your routine activities as an adult—reading letters and recipes,
directions and instructions, newspapers, computer screens and so forth. Go with her
to the library and check out books for yourself. When your child sees that reading is
important to you, she is likely to decide that it’s important to her, too.

*| Get help for your child if he has a reading problem. When a child is having reading
difficulties, the reason might be simple to understand and deal with. For example,
your child might have trouble seeing and need glasses or he may just need more help
with reading skills. If you think that your child needs extra help, ask his teachers
about special services, such as after-school or summer reading programs. Also ask
teachers or your local librarian for names of community organizations and local
literacy volunteer groups that offer tutoring services.
The good news is that no matter how long it takes, most children can learn to read.
Parents, teachers and other professionals can work together to determine if a child has
a learning disability or other problem and then provide the right help as soon as
possible. When a child gets such help, chances are very good that she will develop the
skills she needs to succeed in school and in life. Nothing is more important than your
support for your child as she goes through school. Make sure she gets any extra help
she needs as soon as possible and always encourage her and praise her efforts.