| Believe it or not, you are your child's first teacher! | | | | for kids as young as 6). |
| But how do you, as a parent go about finding the | | | | As Barbara Bush wrote recently, "Above all, |
| information you need to fulfill such a role? | | | | children love to be read to. It is a special time for |
| What resources are available to help you carry | | | | them to be close to the grown-ups who care for |
| out this important responsibility? | | | | them, and a wonderful way to feel loved." (Bush, |
| Here are some ideas you can use in order to get | | | | 1993) |
| your child started on the path to developing good | | | | It is also important to make sure that you model |
| reading comprehension skills. | | | | reading around the house by relaxing on the |
| Check Out the Library and Bookstores | | | | couch with the newspaper, a magazine, or a book. |
| Your local public library and local bookstore are | | | | Your child will see you reading (which is good role |
| great resources for you and your child. Libraries | | | | modelling) and if you're lucky, will join you. |
| and bookstores have all the reading material your | | | | Out and About |
| family needs. Librarians will help you find the types | | | | Ordinary daily activities can be an occasion for |
| of books you are looking for. You can also go | | | | learning. For example, recognizing commercial signs |
| online to search the most popular books for your | | | | and street names while out walking or driving is |
| child and then go to the library or bookstore to | | | | one of the first steps in learning to read. While in |
| read them. | | | | the car, you can put on a news-talk radio station. |
| Show Your Child How You Read | | | | If the topic is appropriate, have your child listen |
| Reading aloud to your child, and letting him or her | | | | and ask what he or she thinks about the issue. A |
| see you reading, are two of the best ways to | | | | simple trip to the grocery store is more fun if |
| help your child become a good reader. Again, find | | | | you talk with your child about the objects you're |
| current books that are popular or try to find | | | | seeing and doing when he's little, about colors and |
| some award winning children's books. Also, you | | | | shapes; later on, about the many places from |
| can read aloud some of the all-time greats to | | | | which grocery items come; when he's older, about |
| your child (as these books may be difficult for | | | | box sizes and unit costs and the nutritional value |
| younger readers, they are still entertaining, even | | | | of items in the store. |