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Heading - how can we help our children to become readers? feed the mind logo
Early childhood logo

sub heading - You can help your child to learn about reading

A little time spent reading aloud to your child will build the knowledge
and skills they need for reading.

sub heading - Read to your baby, read to your shild, share a book together often.


Find a time and place to do this.
After a meal may be better than before because it's hard for a hungry child to concentrate. Find a time that doesn't compete with a favourite TV programme.

You can read together anywhere. Make sure it's somewhere that you both feel comfortable.

 sub heading - remember: it's ok to read a favourite book again and again!

sub heading - look at the book together

 

  • Talk about the cover.
  • Point to the title when you read it.
  • Turn the pages together.
  • Talk about the pictures.
  • Read the story.
  • Answer your child's questions.






Praise your child. Value their interest.




Encourage your child.
sub heading - how can I encourage my child to want to read?

 

  • Help your child choose books to take home from the library or a bookshop.
  • Make a book with your child: help them to cut out favourite pictures from a magazine and to make up a story. Read your special book together.
  • Show your child family photo albums and talk about the photos together.
  • Include your youngest child in the group when an older child is reading a book from school.
  • Read stories to your child so they can learn the language of books.

sub heading - Should we read other things as well as books?

Yes. Together, read letters and words wherever you find them.
Have fun reading:
  • signs and labels when you're shopping
  • road signs when you're in the car
  • instructions for toys and games
  • the TV listings
  • photograph captions in magazines and newspapers
  • text on computer screens and the TV
  • party invitations, letters, and notes
  • alphabet charts
Encourage your child to recognise his or her own name.
Let your child see you reading to find information as well as for enjoyment.

 

If you want to know more about helping your child
to become interested in reading, ask the staff at your
local early childhood centre. They will be glad to help.



 
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