by Kristina Nelson

Created on: February 06, 2009

Reading, writing, and spelling are all intertwined together, and can be used individually or together to encourage children, or teenagers, to read. From birth to teenage and young adulthood, children learn, not only from school, but more directly from their parents. By simply watching, through curiosity, and involvement, parents can easily encourage children of all ages to read more often.

PRESCHOOL TO EARLY ELEMENTARY

Upon birth, parents sing and read to their infants to stimulate their brains and create the pathway to their learning skills. Preschool and Kindergarten ages children are beginning to spell, write and read simple words. You can help exercise your child's brain and expand their learning through simple reading games, lessons, and activities. Have children cut store names from newspaper fliers and paste them to pages in a spiral notebook, onto poster board, on adhere them to walls with poster putty. Periodically ask your child the store name of a few, as you point to them. They will soon find it fun and entertaining, while riding in the car, to spot these names and be able to read them. You can do the same with simple road signs, and restaurants.

Read to them daily, and don't limit your reading to one subject or type of creative writing. Influence them through poetry, short stories, and other areas. A wonderful tool to have is a book titled, "A Poem A Day", by Helen H. Moore (Scholastic). In this book you will find 180 poems with a specific theme, and each poem is followed by a simple activity. This book is written for children in grades K-3.

Contact your library for free story hours. Often times, your library will offer a free story hour, followed by a simple craft. The child is involved through interactive projects that relate to the story. After the story is read, and the craft is completed, your child will most likely ask if he/she can search for library books to check out.

Borrow non-fiction movies from your local library for your children. Many times, your child will become very interested in a particularly subject and ask for more information. These types of requests will encourage your child to return to the library and ask the librarian for books on specific subjects.

ELEMENTARY TO MIDDLE SCHOOL

You local library may offer a summer reading program. Contact your local library and inquire the dates, and requirements. Typically the program will have a theme and involve library activities to coordinate the program, will have prizes, and required reading

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