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Raising A Reader: How to Nurture Early Interest In Literature

As much as we love our e-readers, there's still that little somethings special about holding a real book. Given the prominance of Kindle, i-Everythings, and other e-readers, the window of time where a child is likely to use the old-fashioned version, is only a few years.

To help your child develop an early interest in language and literacy, make your home a sanctuary in which a young reader can thrive. Read on for a few tips and tricks that will give you the tools you need to start your child off on the right track.

  • Set aside quiet time each day during which you will read to your child. Before bed, before a nap, after dinner, or even during their bath are all suggestions that tend to work well.
  • If you have several young children, a great idea is to commit to a family read-a-thon once a week. Yes, Mom and Dad, you too!
  • Engage with your child by asking questions, allowing them to see the pictures or turn pages, even if they're really too young to understand.
  • Talk about the story as you go. Point out shapes and colors, animals and letters, anything that catches your eye. This will help your child to become curious about the world around them.
  • Read on your own. Children learn by example, and literacy is no exception. If you want reading to be a priority for your child, you need to make it important to yourself.
  • Include your child when you create your to-do list, grocery list, and anything else. This will aid in vocabulary growth, as well as allow you to use even the most mundane tasks as a bonding activity.

We're sure many of you have your own tips on how to nurture a young reader. We'd love to hear them! Connect with us on Twitter at @FunWorksheets, or head over to our contact page. Happy reading!