1. HAVE FUN! Be enthusiastic about reading.

2. READING CAN LEAD TO MORE FUN!
Read the movie listings in the newspaper and then go to the movies.

3. READING IS HAPPY SOCIAL TIME.
Children like to read with someone special, like you, so read with your children.

4. Read the signs everywhere you go. STOP, ONE WAY, DANGER, SUBWAY, and OFFICE DEPOT are all potential reading practice sessions.

5. READING LEADS TO FOOD! Read menus, recipes and cereal boxes.
Consider buying the cereal boxes with the free books inside.

6. Pop some popcorn and have a reading party!

7. Read with emotion!
Make sounds like animals or machines and bring stories to life!

8. Use an upbeat voice and say encouraging things, such as:

"Oh! I see we are going to read about animals!"

"Great! I'm in the mood for a good story!"

"Wow! That's a red car!" (Observe and describe.)

"You are getting better and better at this!"

"Reading with you is fun!"

"Thank you for sharing this book with me."

"I was thinking it's about time for a story. Why don't you choose one and we'll read it together."

"Every time we read together I notice how many new words you've learned!"

"I love to listen to you read. You are very good at it."

9. VISIT THE LIBRARY AND CHECK OUT BOOKS, not only the videos.

10. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO ASK QUESTIONS!

WHEN YOUR CHILD BEGINS TO READ THE WORDS:

• HAVE FUN! Talk about reading as fun time.
  
  
• It is okay for children to choose the same book over and over. The repetition helps them practice and learn.
  
  
• If your child makes lots of mistakes, it's okay for the child to switch books and choose an easier book.
  
  
• If the book is challenging for the child, you can take turns. "You read a page and I'll read a page." "You read a sentence and I'll read the next sentence."
  
  
• Keep reading to your child as part of your parenting style. Some parents and children share reading aloud until the child is a teenager (Parent and child have matching copies of the same book). When the child learns to read independently, parents can not only listen to the new reader, but also continue to read aloud to their children.
  
  
• Ask open questions, such as, "What was your favorite part?" "What do you think will happen next?" "What did you think when you saw the pirate?"
  
  
• Don't ask questions the child is likely to answer wrong. Being wrong is no fun!
  
  
• Make simple books, such as "I LIKE _______" and "I SEE _________". Children can read books they write themselves and the practice is great!
  
  
• Choose books that are predictable. Rhyming books, books with patterns and illustrations that provide clues for the next word are great for beginning readers.
  
  
• Train your reader to be alert and energized during reading. Reading is not just for bedtime. Read after exercise or read with a snack or other refreshments. Reading is not just for bedtime.
  
  
• Write for fun! Use paper tablecloths and write messages to each other on the paper during supper. Write letters and put them in the lunch box. Write letters to your child to tell him to do his chores or to help him find his socks. Make up secret codes that you write to each other.