by Sue Sciubba

Reading to your child is the number one way to help them achieve success academically because reading impacts all other subject areas. As a mother of three, I can tell you I wish I had implemented more reading into my children’s schedules. I feel it is critically important to reserve reading as a top priority, hence, my humble advice of what really worked for me and some real-life suggestions for what you can do right now. Here are a few strategies I used when my children were younger.

First, never buy greeting cards for children on their birthdays or for any other occasion. For the same amount of money you’d spend on a card that will get thrown away in a matter of days, you can easily buy a children’s book that will be treasured for a lifetime. I prefer those books with hard, blank inside covers because I loved to let my children color and create by drawing on them. Now, I have keepsake writing and drawing samples from my children at different ages. I always had them write their names to the best of their abilities and date the “artwork” when they were finished with their treasure. Believe me, you will cherish these books when they grow up. Tell them as they are creating, “See, you could write or illustrate books when you grow up, because you just did a wonderful job with this one!” Letting them create inside the cover of a real book is a very effective method to motivate young readers.

Next, when you go on family trips, always bring along a selection of books that everyone can read together and enjoy. For example, I still remember the weekend trip my husband and I took our three kids to Payson, Arizona. We read “Holes”, by Louis Sachar. The book was too advanced for our youngest, but by helping her along by summarizing each chapter, the whole family really enjoyed the book. It’s a good idea to let the older children read aloud and summarize. Be sure to include everyone, even the youngest, in the literary conversation. That way, everyone will be engaged and feel they are contributing to the family read-aloud.

Another way to make time for reading is to always have a “book bag” in every vehicle. Let each child create their own book bag.  Most craft stores have canvas bags you can decorate with fabric paints and rhinestones. When children feel a sense of ownership, they are always more enthusiastic about the project.  So, when your children get tired of waiting for the doctor or watching a siblings soccer match, they can read independently or you can read with them. When you are stuck in traffic, have your child read to you (whether they can read fluently or not). If they are not fluent, let them tell you the story from the pictures. As they do, ask them what they think might happen in the story, or how the characters feel.

Make “Word Worms”!  Take one word from a book of their choice and start rhyming words aloud with them… cat, sat, hat, and mat.  Make those words into “Word Worms” (using the paper and colored pencils you have placed in their book bags) and display them in easy to see places for quick review in your home and car. To make a word worm, draw the shape of a worm and then fill in its tummy space with all the words that rhyme with the base word you found in the book.  For example: lunch, munch, crunch, and bunch. Be sure to include eyes and a smiling face on your finished worm. This will help your children increase their vocabularies with ease and fun. They will love creating their Word-Worms!

Remember, the clock is ticking; father time is not your friend.  In the blink of an eye, I went from reading “Tuffy and Teddy go to School” to my son Anthony (now 21 years old), to having him assist me by proof reading my college papers!  I didn’t know until I was in college (after I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I “grew up”), that reading was so important to your child.  Reading is the base of all knowledge and all subjects point back to reading. So (and here is my final tip), find a good book, a quiet room, a comfy chair, and spend some time reading with your precious child .  It is something they will never forget. Reading will give them a head start in becoming life-long learners.  You’ll not regret it!

About the author:

In May, 2010, Sue will graduate from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Elementary Education.  After traveling all over the United States and raising three children with her husband of 25 years, she returned to school to become an Elementary School Teacher.