If you love to read as an adult or loved losing yourself in a good book as a child, you want these same experiences for your child. But if your child struggles with reading, developing a love of reading may be far off. At Academic Associates Learning Center, we can help your child improve their developmental reading skills to become a stronger reader. Here are some of our top tips for some of the things you can do as a parent to encourage your child’s love of reading:
• Even if your child is enrolled in our developmental reading program and knows how to read, you should with them every day. Use every opportunity to read to your child, such as when you’re waiting at the dentist, in the carpool line, or even while they’re simply playing with their toys.
• Make sure age-appropriate books are available. This is a simple strategy, but it can make a big difference. Always keep a small stack of books by your child’s bed and switch them out regularly to encourage them to explore new topics.
• Give your child exposure to a variety of different reading materials. Take them to the library often so they always have something new and exciting to read.
• When you bring your child to the library, let them pick the books they want by themselves. If they don’t like the books they choose, they can simply return them and pick out new ones during their next library trip.
• If your child knows you like to read, they’ll be more likely to pick up the habit on their own. Try to let your child see you reading, even if it’s only for a few minutes here and there.