| Anita Silvey writes in 100 Best Books for Children, | | | | Another tip to improve reading can be found on |
| "Nothing in a child's intellectual development offers | | | | The Family Education Network's website ([ to |
| more pleasure or excitement than a good book. | | | | "encourage a variety of reading activities." These |
| Nothing lasts longer in memory than childhood | | | | activities can be as simple as asking your children |
| reading experiences. And nothing ensures the | | | | to read street signs and billboards, comic books or |
| success of a child more in society than being read | | | | newspaper comic strips, or to play spelling games |
| to from infancy through adulthood." | | | | with you. The Family Education Network suggests |
| While Silvey's statements may be true, what | | | | your child will read better and more often if books |
| about children who have problems with and/or | | | | and other things to be read (magazines, comics) |
| who don't like to read? Reading expert John Jay | | | | are kept handy, especially in the car and other |
| Pikulski said, "An impressive and growing body of | | | | places (while waiting for appointments, in line at |
| authoritative opinion and research evidence | | | | the grocery store, etc.) where your child might |
| suggests that reading failure is preventable for all | | | | have idle time. |
| but a very small percentage of children." This is | | | | Though Richard Feldman, Ph.D., of Columbia |
| good news for parents who are frustrated by | | | | University, agrees everyone should read-and he is |
| their children's inattention too books. Attitudes and | | | | a speed reading expert-he emphasizes that all |
| reading problems usually can be corrected. | | | | people should read in a proper environment. |
| But how can parents encourage their children to | | | | "Angling your reading material at 45 degrees |
| read, and to grow to love doing so? And how can | | | | improves your reading speed and reduces eye |
| parents help their children who may struggle | | | | strain." Feldman also says it is important not to |
| through even a single word? | | | | read in bed, especially for a child who is working |
| Kathryn Perkinson, in an article for the U.S. | | | | on his reading skills. Reading in bed makes one |
| Department of Education, writes that to get kids | | | | more relaxed and not as alert, and this may |
| to love reading, you must read aloud to them and | | | | make it more difficult for beginning or troubled |
| encourage them to read to you. Reading aloud to | | | | readers to actually read. |
| children familiarizes them with language and with | | | | Other exercises to do with your kids if they are |
| specific stories. Reading familiar stories, ones | | | | having issues reading include teaching your child to |
| children love, will encourage them to try and read | | | | hear the sounds in words, teaching your child to |
| those stories for themselves, according to the | | | | perceive and identify the letters of the alphabet, |
| Reading Recovery Council of North America. | | | | and teaching your child to recognize (or even |
| Reading specialists agree that it is important to | | | | memorize) whole words, especially ones that |
| talk to your child about reading, maybe talking | | | | occur often in language. These ideas from the |
| about a book you loved as a child or discussing | | | | Reading Recovery Council of North America, |
| the stories of famous authors or characters, such | | | | coupled with the tips mentioned above, will help |
| as Dr. Seuss, Lemony Snickett or Harry Potter. | | | | strengthen your child's reading skills. |
| (In the case of Harry Potter-or any book made | | | | But one of the most important things to |
| into a movie-you could make a game out of | | | | remember in helping your child become a better |
| asking your child to pay attention to what things | | | | reader is to seek professional help for reading |
| differ between the book and the movie and ask | | | | issues before waiting to see if they become |
| her to talk about it with you when the movie | | | | reading problems. As Pikulski says, most reading |
| ends. This will also help develop her critical thinking | | | | obstacles can be overcome and future problems |
| skills.) And don't forget to occasionally ask your | | | | prevented with the proper tools and a little |
| child what she or he is reading in school, and if he | | | | work-one both your part and your child's. |
| understands it or wants to talk about the story | | | | Recommended Reading for More In-depth Tips (in |
| or novel. | | | | alphabetical order): |
| Another idea to instill a love of books and reading | | | | • Improving Reading: Strategies and |
| is to peruse the library or a bookstore with your | | | | Resources by Jerry Johns and Susan Lanski |
| child, letting him pick out books that look | | | | (Kendall Hunt Publishing Co.) |
| interesting. If your child gets to choose the | | | | • Reading Reflex: The Foolproof |
| subject of the reading material, he is more likely | | | | Phono-Graphic Method for Teaching Your Child to |
| to read. Perkinson writes of the importance of | | | | Read by Carmen McGuinness and Geoffrey |
| starting a home library. Children who are used to | | | | McGuinness (Free Press) |
| books being a part of their homes and their lives | | | | • Reading Rescue 1-2-3: Raise Your Child's |
| are more apt to read, and to be better readers, | | | | Reading Level 2 Grades with this Easy 3-Step |
| than their counterparts from whom books are | | | | Program by Peggy M. Wilber (Three Rivers Press) |
| rare. | | | | • See Johnny Read! |