Raising a Reader

Fostering a love of reading can start in infancy. You can help your child gain an excitement about words and reading. Try some of these steps to help your child get on their way to a life-long love of books and reading.

- Go to the library. Get your child their own card and let them pick their own books, even if you pick a few for them too. Many libraries have summer programs to get kids reading when school is out. Also check out story time at the library. It's always fun to hear a story read by someone new.

- Include your child when you read. Ask, "What do you think will happen next," before turning a page. Some of the answers you get will be priceless.

- Keep books in the car. You'll have them in case you have some free time before you get back home, or your child can look at them and "read" them alone while you drive.

- Become a narrator. Describe what you're doing during the day to your kids beginning when they're infants.

- Read everyday things with your child.

- Give books as gifts.

- Make books part of your day EVERY day.