Encourage your children to read!

Building strong reading skills and an interest in reading is one of the most important things parents can do for their child's academic development. There are many ways to help children develop an interest in reading.

Let the child choose a book to read. Fiction is fine, but non-fiction titles - biographies, science, and history - are also great topics.

Show that you like to read. Set aside some time each week to read a book of your choice while your child reads also.

Read a story to your child. Try reading a chapter each night at bedtime for a great evening routine.

Visit your public library. It's the world's best summer entertainment deal!

Let your child build his own library by setting a shelf aside for his or her "special" books.

Do you have a reluctant reader? These strategies can help:

Look at a book before your child starts reading it. Guess what might happen and who the characters might be. When the child finishes the book, let him or her tell you whether your predictions were accurate.

Build your child's vocabulary. Introduce new words each day and use them!

Music and rhymes help young children develop strong reading skills, especially when reading aloud.

Encourage reading with a reading chart using stickers or other indicators of your child's progress. Remember, too, that there is no substitute for praising success at reading.

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