H. W. Mountz School

1.  Read to your child every day.  It's never too early to start- even newborns respond to hearing you read.

2.  Continue reading together even after your child learns to read.  Older children still enjoy listening to others read, especially if they get to choose the reading material. 

3.  Make stories come alive for your child when you read.  Be animated and use different voices.

4.  Be patient- let your child read aloud at his or her own pace.  Offer help only when needed.

5.  Discuss what you read together.  Ask questions, and listen attentively to your child's answers. (See the Active Reading Strategies listed on this website)

6.  Make reading time special.  Cuddle up in a quiet, comfortable spot.  Your child will associate reading with feeling secure, relaxed and loved.

7.  Encourage your child to read at least 15 minutes a day, either to you or independently.

8.  Take along your child's favorite books wherever you go.  Read on car rides, on airplanes, or in waiting rooms. 

9.  Take your child to the library often and check out a variety of age-appropriate reading material.  Be sure that the reading material sparks your child's interests. To make reading materials even more available, purchase a subscription to a children's magazine of their choice. 

10. Be a role model- read on your own.  By seeing how much you enjoy reading, your child will learn that it's a great source of information. 

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