Parents create a reading environment when they:

• encourage reading in bed at night
• read books they as well as their children enjoy
• show their love of books by giving them as gifts
• display magazines, newspapers and lists
• read themselves so their children have positive role models
• encourage conversations about books
• offer several questions and explanations when reading witth their children
• read together every day
• regularly visit the local library
• are good listeners - positive, relaxed and encouraging
• encourage reading for recreation and pleasure

 

More Ways Parents Can Help

• Read to your child.
• Listen to your child read.
• Play games with your child.
• Help your child get a library card from the public library nearest you. Encourage your child to go to the library as often as possible. Go to the library with your child and help him or her pick out interesting books. Find out about activities for children that take place in your library.
• Talk to your child about subjects that are interesting to him or her.
• Listen to your child.
• Set aside a special "reading time." Let your child know that you look forward to and enjoy your time together.
• Give your child his or her own place to keep books.
• Write notes to your child.  Help your child write letters and notes.
• Encourage your child to keep a scrapbook about a subject that interests him or her - stamps, dogs, birds, trucks, etc.
• Limit your child's television watching - select certain shows to watch. Turn the television on for the set and turn it off immediately after the show is over.
• Read and discuss your child's homework.
• Provide materials such as crayons, art paper, and paints for creative projects.
• Give your child a calendar so he or she can write down special events and mark off each day.
• Help your child make a telephone directory with the names and phone numbers of his or her friends.
• Ask your child to add a sentence or two to letters you write to far-away relatives.
• Give your child specific duties to perform on a regular basis at home.
• Let your child help you prepare dinner.
• Subscribe to a children's magazine (in your child's name).
• Bring books for your child to read in the car while he or she waits for you to run errands.
• Look up words in the dictionary with your child.
• Encourage your child to start a collection of rocks, stamps, etc.
• Encourage your child to show his or her schoolwork to your relatives and friends.
• When traveling, read road signs to your child. Discuss what they mean.
• Provide counting experiences for your child. Show your child how to use a yardstick, ruler and tape measure for measuring objects around the house.
• Show your child how to count change.
• Give your child a special place (box, dish pan, etc.) to keep items he or she must take to school in the morning.  This ends last-minute searching for library books, papers, bike keys, etc.)
• Show your child how to tell time.