Reading skill is required even more than in the past because so much communication is done via the computer screen.  Marge Kennedy in her book, "How to Bring Out the Smarts in Your Kid," offers some tips for raising a reader:

• Let children see you enjoying reading.
• Read with preschoolers rather than to them.  Point to each word as you read it.
• Find different times for reading to children.  They may be too tired at bedtime.
• Help young children form letters and write their names.
• Use normal language, not baby talk.  Good verbal experience is an important basis for reading.
• Let the child set the pace.  Avoid letting her see any anxiety you may feel about her progress.
• If your child's teacher is concerned about his progress, you may want to look into testing for learning disabilities or eye problems.
• Talk about the story to help your child with comprehension.
• Help your child sound out difficult words.
• Keep reading to children, even after they've learned to read on their own.
• Encourage reading for information: maps, schedules, directions, recipes, etc.
• Encourage your child to write by making lists of books he reads, writing thank-you notes, and schedules for chores.

  RAISING A CONFIDENT READER

  By Richard Bavaria, Ph.D., Vice President of Education, Sylvan Learning Center

  There is no such thing as succeeding without reading. It is the foundation of learning and a part of nearly every subject in the school curriculum, including math, science, history and social studies.

  By developing solid reading skills in the early years, children are more likely to become confident learners throughout their school careers.

  The following are tips parents can utilize to help their children develop a love a reading:

  Pre-School Children 

  • Set aside time for storytelling. Reading and telling stories together help stimulate reading and writing skills.
  • Read aloud. It sparks the imagination and helps orient children to language and the concept of written words. When reading a story aloud, point to the words as you speak them. Follow the sentence with your finger so that children begin to recognize how words appear on the page.
  • Read often, but don't expect to be able to read together for long periods of time.
  • Encourage children between ages 4 - 7 to recognize words on the page.

   Grade School Children  

  • Continue to read aloud. Even after children start to read on their own, reading aloud with them can help develop language skills.
  • Encourage your child to try to sound out a strange word. Mistakes should be treated as an opportunity to learn a new word, not an embarrassment.
  • Encourage talk and discussion as this contributes to the development of language skills and can help with reading. Ask everyone around the dinner table to talk about his or her day or tell a story.
  • Introduce children to your local public library and get library cards for everyone in the family. Enroll in library-sponsored programs like reading challenges.
  • Check with teachers and librarians to confirm the appropriate reading level for your child's age. Get recommendations from them on good children's books, or visit www.bookadventure.com to select age-appropriate titles.
  • Read newspapers and magazines together. Help them read photo captions.
  • Set up or designate shelves in a child's room for his or her own "library."
  • Go to the Internet.
    • The Internet provides many opportunities for children looking for new books to read. Book Adventure is a free Sylvan-created, interactive, reading motivation program that can be found online at www.bookadventure.com. Students choose their own books from more than 7,000 titles, take short comprehension quizzes and redeem their accumulated points for small prizes. Book Adventure also offers teachers and parents resources and tips to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.

  For more great tips, or for information about reading programs at Sylvan Learning Center, call 800-31-SUCCESS or visit http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com