Parents usually find it hard to have their children read. Children are often forced to carry out this activity with which they usually have no fun. However, school teachers and parents make out the importance of the development of reading skills from kindergarten to third grade. Those skills help children read with ease and take advantage of the learning oportunities in further grades.



There are different ways with which we can help our children read, and most importantly enjoy reading. Parents can be involved in their child's literacy development in different ways. For instance, they can be volunteers in their children's classroom, planning actitivites with teachers, talking to or among parents and teachers about the children academic achievement in order to identify weaknesess and implement strategies so that they become strengths. Another way to cooperate to literacy of childrens development is bringing home learning materials such as books, educational videos, or having a unique place for reading.

This special place should be well lighted and apart from objects that may cause distractions, such as toys, television, drawings, etc. It also need to be comfortable and to have appropriate furniture.

Once you have set this unusual place, it is important to establish a time of the day to read so that children learn the habit of reading at a certain hour. Start by looking at books full of images. Your children will love to make up their own stories or listen to your stories. Children acquire more vocabulary only by hearing or saying words.

You can also read books about topics your children like. This will also be a great opportunity to get to know what your child likes, dislikes or loves. While reading, ask ocassionally questions such as What will happen next? so that you contribute to the development of reading strategies like predicting, evaluating, summarizing, decoding, etc. Another important point that you should take into consideration is relating what you are reading to your daily life in order to have a meaningful learning. Stop ocassionally and highlight important vocabulary or relevant situations for your child. Take advantage of this moment to help him express his feelings and thoughts towards a specific situation. Finally, visit the library and compare what your child watches on tv. with what you read together.

People may want to have a magic recipe to make children enjoy the art of reading; however, it is not that difficult, you have to dedicate certain amount of time to your child. At the beginning it might sound insane. However, if you devote some time to your child and both of you set together a special place to read with comfortable furniture, and learn all the habits he has to acquire regarding reading, he will little by little enjoy this activity.