by Russell Waldron

Created on: October 27, 2009   Last Updated: November 19, 2009

If you're wondering how to encourage your teen to develop good reading habits, please read on.

There is nothing more important than your child's future and there is nothing more essential to your child's assurance of a successful future than the ability to read. Your child will need reading skills in order to excel in all subjects at school. To be literate enough to follow written instructions, read text books, study, answer test questions, pass a driving test, answer letters, fill out forms and job applications, write a resume, read a newspaper or magazine, and so much more.

Reading is the key to learning, that is why it is so important to make reading a priority for your child right from the cradle. Most mothers and fathers bond with their very small children in various ways. The most popular way they do this apart from cuddling and sharing affection and play activities, is to read to them. Children then bond with the enjoyment of reading. More so when we make the stories come alive. That is why it is so very important that reading begins at home, it's up to the parents to ignite a child's interest. If you are the parent of a high-schooler you must continue to treat reading as a priority.

Your child will eventually be out in the work force where good reading and writing skills will be essential. A recent study showed that parents have a major impact on a child's future. 93% of eighth and ninth graders said that their parent's input had a major influence on their plans for the future. And focus groups revealed that the majority of students relied on their parents for encouragement and motivation. Therefore, stay involved in your child's reading.

Unfortunately one third of ninth graders are relatively illiterate or have major reading problems. In actual fact, one third of students enter ninth grade with reading skills two years or more below their grade level. That definitely spells out big problems for the children who get no help. Years and years of research has proven that children who read at grade level are more successful in school and the workforce, than children who read behind grade level. Reading is deemed the key skill to a successful future.

Research also shows that talking inspires children to read. Those children who are consistently exposed to a broad range of words when talking to adults, are usually more inquisitive and learn faster than other children. Their comprehension skills are higher and their desire to learn more is increased. To increase

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