Reading aloud is the single most important activity to prepare children for school.
- Talk with your children as you play or do chores. Talking with you helps them learn to use words.
- Read to your children. Let them choose the story. Bedtime is a good time to read.
- Let your children see you read so that they know you enjoy reading and think it is important.
- Ask older children to read to younger ones. The older children will be proud of their skills, and the younger ones will want to read like them.
- Go to the library together. The librarian can help find books your children will enjoy.
- Keep books, magazines, and newspapers around your home so there will always be something to read.
- Say rhymes or poetry, or sing songs. Rhymes help children learn letter sounds.
- Tell stories about your family and stories you enjoyed as a child. Have other family members tell stories, too.