Simple Things Families Can Do To Help Their Child Become a Reader | Columbus Speech and Hearing

Try to read with your child for 20 minutes every day. It’s important to read aloud to your child so they can hear words and sentences being put together into a story. Have your child turn the pages, point out letters and words, and talk about the pictures.
Make sure your child has access to children’s books in your home and visit the library often. Allow your child to get their own library card and let them pick out books. In the state of Ohio, families have an opportunity to participate in the Imagination Library. This free program is for children from birth up to age five. Each month a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home.
Have audiobooks available. You or a family member can make recordings of your child’s favorite books for them to listen to while looking at the book.
Set up a reading area in your home. Keep books that interest your child in places that are easily reached. Encourage time for books and reading every day. Take them wherever you go – in the car, at the park, at a restaurant, etc.
Be sure your child sees you reading a book every day, not just on your device. Read recipes together, make shopping lists together, talking with your child about what you are reading and writing down.
Vocabulary development is a large predictor of later reading success. Talk with your child all day about what you are doing and what your child is doing during daily activities together. Use words to label (bird), describe (big), action (jump). Talk about your day and about stories from books using words like “beginning, middle, and end” and “first, next, last.”
Children learn best through playing and interacting with others. Be aware of the amount and kind of screen time your child is allowed. Be sure it’s quality programming and that your they have plenty of time each day away from screens.