We all want the best for the youth in our lives. Developing skills that lead to a child having the best advantages to make the most of their talents, skills, and dreams must be started at a young age. Just like walking – skills were learned incrementally and practiced to the point where walking was easy and, from there, we could run if we chose.
The time to lay the foundation for success is now. To get started, here are some key habits:
- Read to your child. Not only can you set aside 15-20 minutes every evening to read out loud, but you can read out loud all of the things you are reading throughout the day: newspaper or internet articles, recipes, advertisements, signs, emails, instructions . . .
- Point out objects and name them out loud as you go about your day with your child.
- Have your child tell you a story and later read out loud to you.
- Let your child ask questions about, or add to, the story.
- Decrease television time.
- Provide a variety of books for your child to explore independently in the home—or at the library.
- Set aside a quiet time for independent reading.
- Ask about what they are reading in class.
When you engage in the above, you are building listening, language and communication skills; increasing attention span, comprehension, vocabulary, proper grammatical structure, curiosity, and creative thinking skills; and expanding exposure to new words, experiences and knowledge. Armed with reading and language skills and all that comes with it, school assignments (and later work assignments) become easier and the ability of confident and creative self expression is enhanced. And the added plus? Bonding.
Start laying the foundation today. Let Leveled Reader help you select those books and book sets that not only interest your child, but appropriately challenge your child’s reading level and enhance their current school reading program.
Quote: “That is a good book which is opened with expectation, and closed with delight and profit.” A. Bronson Alcott.
