Snuggle! Make reading and relaxing together in a quiet, comfortable place part of your daily routine.
Choose wisely! Choose books that reflect your child's interests and are age-appropriate - your librarian can help.
Be silly! Use your voice and body language with feeling and fun when you read aloud to make the story come alive.
Repeat! Read your child's favorite book over and over again…then add a new one!
Plan ahead! Take favorite books with you so you can read on the bus, in line at the grocery store, wherever!
Ask questions! Pause as you read and ask questions about the story like, "What do you think will happen next?"
Be wordy! Play word games, discuss new words, put magnetic letters on the refrigerator, and encourage your child to read everything from signs to cereal boxes.
Listen! Be an enthusiastic listener, encouraging your child to "read" books to you (even if a lot of the story is from memory or made up).
Read! Make sure that your child sees you reading - there is no more powerful way to send the message that you think reading is worthwhile and fun.
Keep it up! Keep reading aloud even when your child can read on his/her own.
