Help Children Read Checklist

Encourage Early Language Development

• Speak to your child in full sentencesChildren learn ;by listening, so the more you speak to them the faster they will learn.
• Keep language simple but expressive, and avoid baby-talk;The more you talk the more they will understand and respond.
• Sing to your childChildren learn first through ;rhythm ;and sound, and songs will encourage phonetic development.
• Engage your child in conversationHave quality discussions on topics ranging from lunchtime to family members to the color of the moon.
• Use synonymsExpand your child's vocabulary early by using different words for the same feeling, action, or object.

Encourage Literacy Development

• Read outloud the names of stores, signs on the road, ingredients on the cereal box..everything! Seeing the words and hearing how they sound will help them retain vocabulary, and introduce them to written language.
• Read to your child every day.It is never to early to start reading, and will instill in them an appreciation for books
• Make story time fun and comfortableThis will be a good bonding experience and create positive association with reading.
• Visit the library oftenThe library can be a fun place to learn and cultivate their budding knowledge.
• Illustrate the difference between letters and numbers.
• Spell out the words you see, and pronounce them outloud with your child.

Encourage Writing Development

• Playing with clay, beads, and blocks will help children develop the fine-motor skills required for writing.
• Draw pictures with your childChildren are very visual, and learning to write starts with scribbles and pictures.
• Make up stories with your childMake story time an interactive experience; write a story together.
• Teach your child the letters of his/her name and show them how to write it.
• Use their interests to boost reading and writing skillsFind books on subjects they love (animals, sports, etc)., read the stories together and encourage them to write their own.