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Reading is an essential skill for academic, professional, and personal success. Whether analyzing a classic novel for a college term paper or dissecting the details of a job contract, adults use their reading skills to get ahead. The tremendous practical and scholastic importance of reading means that parents and teachers are highly motivated to encourage children to read, but that kind of long-term thinking is simply not a realistic motivator for the children themselves. Children are not as concerned with their future success as they are with what seems fun at the moment. Here are some kid-friendly ways to encourage children to develop reading skills that will last a lifetime:

1. Read to them.

While games and TV have their place, a significant portion of a small child's entertainment should be in the form of adults reading books out loud. Reading to children teaches them that books are filled with fun and exciting stories. Be sure to choose age-appropriate books that honestly capture their interest. If a particular book doesn't capture the child's imagination, try a different one.

2. Read with them.

Reading is more fun when it becomes an opportunity for interaction and discussion. As your children get older and begin choosing their own reading material, take a genuine interest in their favorite books. Talk about the events and characters in the books and ask for your child's opinion. Questions like, "What do you think will happen next?" or "How did you think the story would turn out?" are good conversation starters.

Even if you haven't read your child's latest favorite, you can still have a conversation about it by asking him or her to tell you about the book. Be sure to keep your responses positive and at least seem interested. Remember that kids have their own taste in literature. You may not laugh at the jokes that your child finds hilarious, and you may roll your eyes at a cliched plot, but you don't want to discourage your child from reading by disparaging his or her favorite stories.

3. Respect their interests.

Not all kids enjoy the same things. Your child may yawn at the thought of reading your childhood favorites or pass on the latest fad in kids' literature. That doesn't mean you should give up on the idea of encouraging your child to read. It does mean you have to keep trying different types of books and magazines until you find something that captures your child's imagination.

Keep an open mind; if fiction fails to encourage your child to read,

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