Here are FIVE strategies to inspire your child to read and create a love of learning:
- Is your child a sports freak like my boys? Are dinosaurs running wild in his imagination? Does she love wizards and fairies? Find out what interests your child has and watch them get hooked on reading! Read the stats on baseball cards, find your child’s favorite comic…reading comes in all shapes and sizes and doesn’t have to be a book. It can be a newspaper, cereal box, a postcard from grandma, or a magazine. Studies consistently tell us the more a child reads the better he will become at reading.
- Geronimo Stilton, Ricky Ricotta, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter, Magic Tree House…children love book series. They tend to latch onto the characters or an author. Encourage your child to pick a series where he can fluently read 90% of the words and understand 75% of the material. If the book is too difficult, try it as a read aloud to your child.
- Children are creatures of habit. Pull out the picture books from their younger years and listen to them read . These books are wonderful way to boost their fluency, comprehension skills and confidence.
- Grab a non-fiction book for your child at the library! Boys especially love non-fiction literature because it provides a direct links to their interests. Non-fiction books provide solid support for struggling readers, such as bold headings, pictures with text, summaries, and illustrations.
- Be a good reading role model! Surround yourself with reading material, discuss what you are reading, take a trip to the library or book store. Read for pleasure and discuss the importance of reading to your child.
HAPPY READING!!!
Summer! 