Make Reading FUN!

Here are some tips on how to make reading fun!!!

1 Make reading time a fun time - a time that you and your child look forward to spending together
2 Keep lots of magazines, books, newspapers, and comics around your house, in your car anywhere your child can find them.
3 Start a book swap with friends.
4 Keep reading aloud to your child even if they can read. Choose a book that maybe too long or too difficult for them to read by themselves.
5 Read a story together. Take turns reading pages, chapters or characters. Encourage them when they get to a difficult word, but don't interrupt to constantly correct mistakes.
6 Talk about stories. Ask them questions about characters. Have them retell the story to you.
7 Share your favorite children's books with them. Mention authors that you loved.
8 Find out what type of books your child likes to read be it mysteries, nature, adventure or books about kids. Help them find this type of book
9 Visit your local library!
10 Have fun reading and tell them how proud you are of them.
11 Start reading a story with your child, but stop when it gets exciting. See if they pick up the book themselves.
12 Let your child record themselves reading a story. It's a great way to practice fluency, and they make nice presents for younger siblings, cousins, etc.
13 Sign up for story hour. Local libraries have them, as do Borders and Barnes & Nobles at specific times.
14 Have your child collect things from a vacation. Have them write about the items and then make a scrapbook page to share with friends and relatives. Be sure to have your child read their "creation" to others.
15 Find a pen pal for your child.
16 Check out some of the websites in the Links page. There are some awesome sites for reading.
17 Leave post-it notes to your child on the mirror, in their lunchboxes, etc. Write a special note telling them how proud you are, a special thing you're going to do afterschool, whatever. Or make to do lists for your child for your child to check off.
18 Set aside time on Sunday to read the paper togehter. Even if it's only the comics and the ads! It's still reading...
19 Going on a trip? Check out travel books or websites that tell about the area.
20 A special sleepover - read a special story with their friends. Maybe you can read a scary story or a fairy tale with a flashlight.