Learning to read takes practice. Loving to read takes enthusiasm. So read with your child often and create a sense of enjoyment, wonder, and even a passion for reading. Here are some easy, practical ways you can increase your child's skills and love for reading. Some of these are for younger children but still offer many great ideas to encourage your child to read.  One of the goals for sixth graders is to keep them interested and enjoying reading!  You can help! 

    Read with your child every day possible -- even your baby. Give children something to look forward to by reading to them every day at the same time.

    Have your youngster read out loud to you. Listen carefully and make sure to praise your child's reading.

    Take turns reading -- You read a section, then have your child read the next section.

    Even after children can read on their own, keep reading to them so they can enjoy stories and books that interest them but are too hard for them to read by themselves.

Would your child rather clean up his room than pick up a book? These five tips from reading expert Marie Carbo can help you get your child back on the right reading track.

    Make reading relaxing and low-key for a short part of the day.

    Read aloud some funny or interesting parts of your favorite book.

    Draw your child in with a riddle book for kids, a passage from Sports Illustrated, or a newspaper story.

    If your child likes a movie, see if it's based on a book, then bring home the book.

For kids who have lost the motivation to read, use material that's intensely interesting to them. Your child may almost have to disassociate what he's doing at school with the act of reading something for fun.

Brought to you by the National Education Association

 

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 LAST MODIFIED: Sunday, August 03, 2008 08:52 PM