How To Promote Reading At Home

Many parents often talk about the fact that their child/children are not avid readers. There are ways to address this issue. Keep in mind that YOU set the example. Regardless of the child's age, if the parents show a love for reading the children do as well.

Open their eyes to the world with activities that encourage reading. Make them top priority, and make them readily available for reading in multiple areas of your home. Having the ability to read (decode) and comprehend are key components to success in school.

Here are a few activities you can implement to develop your children into lifetime readers.

Non & Emerging Readers 
Check your local library or retail bookstore for  picture books with very few or no words. As you read these to your children, they will experience success once they start to learn the story that is told with pictures. Then they can "read" the story to your and /or other family members.

Readers
1. Negotiate an agreement  For every hour of "screen time" (e.g watching television, playing video games or on the computer), one-half hour of reading must be completed. You might soon observe your child showing preference to reading. One can glean significantly more from 30 minutes of reading than in an hour of screen time.

2. Read after dinner  Select an appropriate book for the age(s) of your children. After dinner read a chapter or two (depending on the length) of the book. Make this a ritual (you can decide how often per week, but every night is great if possible). One or two chapters will keep them curious about what will happen next. If it applies to you situation, as they develop into proficient readers, have them share the reading responsibilities with you.


What do you do to create a genuine love for reading in your home?

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