Helping children develop a love of reading

Empower the Children by developing the interest for reading

How do you make little children love reading? Make it fun! Be creative while you stress the importance of it, with excitement!

Just as sight words are used in a classroom, they can be used in your own kitchen! While I am still a believer of phonics, when teaching children to read, I encourage your kitchen to be used as your child's very own classroom! Post words, such a "clock", "counter", "light", or "toaster" next to the appropriate items on colored index cards! Also, have your child learn how to read his/her cookbook with you, as you prepare to whip up a meal.

Using measuring spoons and cups will teach them about mathematical fractions. Visually, show them that four measuring cups is the same as a quart of milk. While they are learning the foundation of math computations, you are enhancing the value of reading.

Go out for pizza or to a diner and ask them to read the children's menu. See what words they can point out on their own and emphasize how nice it will be when they can read everything! Show them that words are everywhere! Read to the the story, "A Day with No Math", and then as them what the world would be like with no written words. Of course if there were no words at all, there would be no thoughts, but let us be more concrete. Ask them what their day would be like with no written words. There would be no menus, no books to learn from, no McDonald logos, no bus schedules, no traffic signs, etc. Would there be chaos or order? Start small and then they will soon be developing critical thinking skills which will take them to a new level.

Take them to the local library weekly and show them all the people that like to read and who spend their time there. Get answers to questions that they want to learn about. You might ask them if they know why the sky is blue or what happens to the birds during the winter. Show them where to find the answers to those questions and teach them how to navigate through different areas in the library so that they will learn the mechanics of searhing for answers to more questions.

Have a reading contest at home and have them write a short book review when they are older. Why did they like the book? Would they recommend the book to others? Most of all, model the behavior; if they see that you like to read, then chances are, they will learn that too!Have fun, be creative, make it part of their summer routine before they go out to play! Set up rules, encourage, curiosity, and make it part of your lives. You will see, that being smarter will add confidence to their life and will open up so many doors of opportunities.

Ask your children what they think that they will be when they grow up and show them what it takes to get there. All careers, no matter what they are, need people who can communicate by writing clearly and speaking correctly; therefore, let's start with the school subject of Language Arts. To be anything in life, reading and writing is needed, so get started, and implore the value of homework and schooling. If they excel in reading, the easier school will be, and then they will be on the road to a successful career and life!


by Carol Natoli
With Thanks www.helium.com/knowledge