While looking for some information on Reading instruciotn the other day, I ran across a great list of tips for parents of young readers. It is from the site "Reading Rockets". Here are some of the tips that I found especially important to share with you:
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as a doctor's office. Always try to fit in reading.
ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH
Encourage your child to re-read favorite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more quickly and accurately.
DIG DEEPER INTO THE STORY
Ask your child questions about the story you just read. Say something like, " Why do you think Clifford did that?"
TAKE CONTROL OF THE TELEVISION
It is difficult for reading to compete with television and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity.
BE PATIENT
When your child is trying to sound out an unfamiliar word, give him or her time to do so. Remind them to look at the first letter and the other letters in the word. (I also tell kids to use the other words in the sentence to help figure out what the word is.)
PICK BOOKS THAT ARE AT THEIR LEVEL
Help your child pick books that are not too difficult. The aim is to give your child lots of successful reading experiences. (If you are not sure of your child's reading level, ask his or her teacher to help you. I also use the "Five Finger Rule", if your child makes five or more mistakes on a page, they are probably not going to be successful or comprehend much of what they read).
PLAY GAMES
Have your child sound out the word as you change it from mat to fat to sat; from sat to sag to sap; and from sap to sip.
I READ TO YOU, YOU READ TO ME
Take turns reading aloud at bedtime. Kids enjoy this special time with their parents. (Again, if your child loves a book, read it over and over again if they ask you to).
GENTLY CORRECT YOUR YOUNG READER
When your child makes a mistake, gently point out the letters he or she overlooked or read incorrectly. Many beginning readers will guess wildly at the word based on its first letter.
TALK, TALK, TALK!
Talk with your child every day about school and things going on around the house. Sprinkle some interesting words into the conversation, and build on words you've talked about in the past.
WRITE, WRITE, WRITE
Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he or she is learning at school.
Remember, you are your child's BEST first teacher!