Reading Starts At Home

Article written by Joan Osborne, member Friends of Forks Library

  Feeling exhausted you hear "Mommy, read me a story!"  but, before you know it, they are wrapped in your arms.  These are cherished moments, and will help your child develop the attention, enthusiasm and focus they need to read and write.

  Whether it is a five minute story before bed or a visit to the library, the important thing is to make reading a positive experience.  Children start developing skills they need to read and write before they reach kindergarten.  Reading books together helps develop language, literacy, and reading.

Sharing common everyday moments like reading recipes, magazines or even cereal boxes, you are showing your child how reading works in your life.  Another way to reinforce your child's interest in literacy is by letting them experience stories through their own hands with crayons, paints, pencils, markers, or chalk.  Encourage them to be storytellers and let them scribble, draw, paint, or write their story in their own way.

  Even though a child can't read, reading time is a good way to strengthen the bond between you and your child.  Keep in mind that more is not always better.  The way you interact may be even more important than how often you read together.  Getting through the book from start to finish is not the goal.  If your child wants to read the same page over and over again, look at the pages out of order, or make up their own stories that's ok.  The important thing is to make reading a positive experience reading together can become a treasured time to build a relationship and opportunity to expose children to literacy.

TIPS:

	Let your child choose books
	Select books that you both enjoy
	Ask questions about the story
	Avoid being impatient, abrupt or angry
	Encourage their participation
	Make reading together enjoyable
	Praise your child for trying even if they make mistakes
	If they become restless or uninterested, stop
	Be warm, supportive, encouraging
	Be enthusiastic, playful and animated
	Take them to story time at the library
	Get them a library card