Suggestions for parents:

* Do sound related activities, such as helping your child think of a number of words that start with the /m/ or /ch/ sound, or other beginning sounds.

* Make up silly sentences with words that begin with the same sound, such as "Nobody was nice to Nancy's neighbor."

* Use computer games designed to build your child's phonemic skills.

* Read books with rhymes. Teach your child rhymes, short poems, and songs.

* For a younger reader, help your child learn the letters and sounds of the alphabet. Occasionally, point to letters and ask your child to name them.

* Encourage your child to write and spell notes, e-mails, and letters using what he knows about sounds and letters.

* Talk with your child about the "irregular" words such as said, are, and was that she needs to recognize "at sight".

* Engage your child in conversations every day. If possible, include new and interesting words in your conversation.

* Read to your child each day. When the book contains a new or interesting word, pause and define the word for your child.

* Help build word knowledge by classifying and grouping objects or pictures while naming them.

* Support and encourage your child.

* Read aloud to your child to provide an example of how fluent reading sounds.

* Hold a conversation and discuss what your child has read. Ask your child probing questions about the book and connect the events to his or her own life.

* Help your child go back to the text to support his or her answers.

* Discuss the meanings of unknown words, both those he reads and those he hears.

A collaborative project of Reading Rockets, The Access Center, and LD Online

http://www.readingrockets.org/target