Learning logs

Read early and read often. The early years are critical to developing a lifelong love of reading. It's never too early to begin reading to your child! The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

Read together every day

Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.

Give everything a name

Build your child's vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. For example, "Look at that airplane! Those are the wings of the plane. Why do you think they are called wings?"

Say how much you enjoy reading

Tell your child how much you enjoy reading with himor her. Talk about "story time" as the favorite part of your day.

Read with fun in your voice and act out scenes

Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up! You and your child can act out scenes.

Know when to stop

Put the book away for awhile if your child loses interest or is having trouble paying attention.

Be interactive

Relate and connect to real life incidents. Discuss what's happening in the book, point out things on the page, ask questions and ask the child to predict what will happen next. You can sometimes read the story and let the child complete it the way he/she wants to.

Read it again and again

Go ahead and read your child's favorite book (if he/she wants) for the 100th time!

Talk about writing, too

Mention to your child how we read from left to right and how words are separated by spaces.

Point out print everywhere

Talk about the written words you see in the world around you. Ask your child to find a new word on each outing.

Let the Child Narrate the Story

Once you have finished reading the story to the child, let him/her narrate it to you. This will not only build up the child's vocabulary but also boost the confidence and build up his/her public speaking skills.

Get your child evaluated

Please be sure to see your child's pediatrician or teacher as soon as possible if you have concerns about your child's language development, hearing, or sight.

HAPPY READING