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Everyone seems to agree that there is no more important gift an adult
can give a young person than the love of reading. Young people who
love to read have the world at their fingertips. Reading assignments
become fun. Learning is something to look forward to.
Some children take to books naturally, “like fish to water.” Others
can use a little nudging. Here are some ways to help:
First of all, it’s never too early to start. Some parents begin
reading with their children the day they bring them home from the hospital.
Even infants enjoy hearing the rhythms of language.
It’s a good idea to create a nighttime read-aloud ritual. Even
the most energetic of young people usually have wound down by evening.
It’s a great time to read together and to cuddle.
In fact, if possible, set aside 20 minutes or so a day for reading
out loud with children. But stop reading or change the selection if
a child seems bored or fidgety.
Make reading out loud even more fun by using different voices for different
characters in a book or story. You should encourage children to take
part in the fun by making animal noises or automobile sounds at the
appropriate point in the story.
Don’t stop reading out loud when your children can read by themselves.
At that point, you can take turns being the narrator.
Make a special spot in your home for your children’s books. Be
sure to get each child a personal library card and allow each to select
books from libraries and bookstores. Fill your home with all kinds
of reading material. Be sure children see books, magazines, newspapers,
journals, and the like. Remember to be a good role model by letting
your children see you reading a lot as well.
Ask librarians, teachers, friends, and day-care providers for reading
suggestions. There are also several excellent books that list good
sources of material, such as “The New Read-Aloud Handbook,” by
Jim Trelease.
Every family is different and every child is different. The important
point to remember is that you should do whatever seems appropriate
to help your child learn that reading is fun. That is the single most
important gift you can provide in terms of long-term success in school.
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