- Read yourself. Show you value Read yourself. Show you value reading and your child will want reading and your child will want to follow your example.
- Read aloud with your child at least Read aloud with your child at least 30 minutes a day. Begin reading 30 minutes a day. Begin reading stories to your child as a baby. Even stories to your child as a baby. Even though they won’t be able to though they won’t be able to understand the story, babies are understand the story, babies are fascinated with the sound of words.
- Keep a supply of magazines, comics Keep a supply of magazines, comics and books in the car and bring them and books in the car and bring them with you while you are waiting in with you while you are waiting in the doctor’s office or a restaurant. the doctor’s office or a restaurant.
- Give books as gifts. Make a special Give books as gifts. Make a special place for your child’s books and place for your child’s books and magazines so they can have their magazines so they can have their own library area.
- Make reading a special privilege. Make reading a special privilege. Allow them to stay up 30 minutes Allow them to stay up 30 minutes later if they read in bed. Reward later if they read in bed. Reward them for helping out around the them for helping out around the house by reading them an extra house by reading them an extra story.
- Take your child to bookstores Take your child to bookstores often and allow them to buy favorite often and allow them to buy favorite books
- Let your child be in control. Give Let your child be in control. Give them their choice of four or five them their choice of four or five books and allow them to choose books and allow them to choose which book they would like you to which book they would like you to read to them or they would like to read to them or they would like to read to you. read to you.
- Apply for a library card for your Apply for a library card for your child and take them to the library child and take them to the library often. Bring home as many books as often. Bring home as many books as the library will allow so your home the library will allow so your home will always be filled with books.
- Encourage play activities that involve Encourage play activities that involve books. Let your child dress up and books. Let your child dress up and act out the stories of their favorite act out the stories of their favorite characters and read stories to their characters and read stories to their dolls or play library. dolls or play library.
- Never give up on your child. No Never give up on your child. No matter how old they are they can be matter how old they are they can be brought to a love of reading. brought to a love of reading.
For information on adult, children and family literacy programs call: Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition 1-800-273-1030
