Parents and Reading

I am a member of the Illinois Reading Council and receive their journal. In the Spring 2011, Volume 39, Number 2 issue, there's an article titled "Parent Involvement in Reading" by Laurie Elish-Piper that lists 12 things parents can do to bring reading to their children. Here is a brief synopsis of her recommendations for children in K-5:

1. Set aside a family reading time each day or at least several times per week.

2. Give books or magazines as gifts for birthdays, holidays or other important celebrations.

3. MAKE REGULAR TRIPS AS A FAMILY TO THE LIBRARY. (my emphasis)

4. Audio books provide a great way for families to listen to books while driving or relaxing.

5. Institute a 15-minute late-night reading routine at your home.

6. Most elementary age children enjoy reading series books with familiar characters.
(Think Judy Moody, Stink, Captain Underpants, Magic Treehouse, Geronimo Stilton, even Harry Potter.)

7. Play word games together to build your children's interest in words. (Piper suggests Scrabble Flash, Blurt, Bananagrams, and Apple to Apple Junior.)

8. Encourage your children to become aware and interested in vocabulary words around them. (Ms. Sarah uses a Word of the Day in her preschool storyhour.)

9. Stash books where your children will be--in the car, in their bedrooms, and even in the bathroom.

10.BE A READING ROLE MODEL. (Again, my emphasis.)

11. Read comics, jokes, riddles, and puns together.

12. Plan a book swap with your neighbors, friends, or other family members who have children the same age as yours.