It is important that children
read well, and also that they like reading.
Experts say the best way
parents can encourage this is to read to children often and show how much they
enjoy reading themselves.
Start reading when children are
very young. Take time to find interesting books. Nursery rhymes and fairy tales
are good starters.
Some television shows can be
helpful by introducing children to letters and words. However, TV programs
generally use sentence structures that are not very complex, which isn’t as
useful for learning language patterns.
That is why it’s important to
read good literature to children. Children whose parents read to them will
often try to read a little on their own or sound out words.
Remember: There is no precise time or age when children
should begin to read on their own.
For most children, reading
readiness is a gradual process. It starts when they develop an awareness of
print — like print on cereal boxes or store signs. Children want to read when
it becomes important to them.
Most children will be more
eager to read if they see it is something you enjoy. So set aside time for your
own reading and become a good role model for your children.
