Reading Tips

READ ALOUD - The most important way to encourage a love of reading in your child is to read aloud.  Set aside some time every day - just 15 minutes makes a big diffference - and read.  Be sure to use difference voices for the characters - it's much more exciting!  This is also a great bonding time for mom, dad and your child.
**REMEMBER - A child can usually comprehend up to 2 grade levels above their reading level, so don't hold back on reading a chapter book to a kindergartener or 1st grader.
FAMILY ACTIVITY - Setting a good example is always the best way to teach children to do anything.  Make sure your child has plenty of opportunities to see you reading.  Try setting aside a specific time of the day for "family reading time" when everyone has to be reading.  Let your child know how much you value your reading time and don't allow them to interrupt you just as if you were watching a great movie.
ASK QUESTIONS - Good readers are curious and are always asking questions in their mind.  When you are reading with your child, stop to ask questions about what you are reading.  For example:
        What do you think will happen next?
        Why do you suppose Charlotte decided to help Wilbur by writing words in the web?
        Have you ever felt like that?
        How could we change the ending of the story?
GIVE SUPPORT - When your child is reading to you and he/she asks you what a word is, do not give them the word right away.  Give clues or suggest some of the strategies listed below.
                •  Think "What would make sense?"
                •  Look at the pictures
                •  Look for small sound chunks or little words in the unknown word
                •  Go back and reread the sentence
                •  Skip the word and read on