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Reading: Do's and Don'ts for Parents
Do's
1) Do read to your child as often as possible (bedtime stories etc)
2) Do show an example to your child by reading by yourself
3) Do allow your child to choose her/his own books
4) Do encourage your child to handle books
5) Do provide plenty of colourful attractive books around the house
6) Do visit the local bookshops and library regularly
7) Do give your child books as presents
8) Do encourage your child to read to other members of the family
9) Do encourage your child to take good care of books
10) Do try to make reading as enjoyable as possible for your child
11) Always praise and encourage your child when she/he reads
12) Try and make a regular habit of reading together say 10 minutes a day
Don'ts
1) Don't force your child to read
2)Don't choose books for your child
3) Don't allow your child to struggle with a book that is too difficult
4) Don't compete with television for your child's reading time
5) Don't be over anxious about your child's reading progress
6) Don't criticise your child's efforts at reading; an improvement will come with encouragement
7) Don't compare a child's standard of reading with that of a brother or sister
8) Don't stop reading to your child as soon as she/he has mastered the basics
9) Don't ever discourage your child from reading - reading 'something' is better than reading 'nothing'
Reading Techniques
When reading with your child -
*Find a quiet place where there are no interruptions
*Make sure your child can see the book properly ie sitting beside you
*If your child is stuck on a word, don't leave her/him to struggle - help her/him along
*Praise and encourage every step of the way
*Discuss the story and let the child tell it in her.his own words
Look at the skills needed to support reading and games you might play in "Skills needed for reading", or look at a paired reading scheme we have initiated at "Paired Reading". Also check out advice to parents from the National Literacy Trust.