Words can open up a world of knowledge and adventure for your children, and reading to them is so important in their development. Here are 5 ways to make reading to your child a habit.

Read your child’s favorite book over and over… and over… (you know the drill).

Choose a book with a particular character whose stories are serialized (like Magic Treehouse or Lemony Snicket).

Read together, depending on the age of the child.

Go to the library and let your child pick out books.

Read to your child at bedtime every night.

Reading to your child should be a daily and ongoing event. When you read to your child do you also become caught up in one particular book your child absolutely loves? Words can do that. Have you noticed the huge variety of children’s books available today? Reading has become the focal point in our society, especially now since some public school children lack reading skills based upon their grade level.

Sign your child up for his own library card! You can have your child participate in picking out books from your local library. The number of books is overwhelming, yet there are certainly enough your child can choose from depending on the genre he prefers. All of the colorful books are incentive enough for your child to take home a stack for you to read at bedtime. Have you ever seen your child become totally engaged in a specific children’s magazine? Why not subscribe to the magazine in your child’s name?As children, we did not have the opportunity to have bookshelves in our rooms crammed with hundreds of books. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Today children can have their own private library at home. This will give them a sense of ownership and pride as well.

Here is another idea. When you are having family dinner, discuss the stories you have read to your child. In this way, the interest in the book will be kept alive and fresh and leave your child full of anticipation as he or she can’t wait to hear what happens to their beloved character next.

Although the 5 ways to make reading to your child a habit are minimal in content and design, you can be a part of your child’s journey to enlightenment. There is a special bond which forms between you and your child during the reading process which is immeasurable. Make a habit of reading to your child on a daily basis. Open the door to a world of fantasy and reality through the use of words.

Nicole Dean co-created http://www.kidsactivitycalendar.com to help her child and others prepare for Kindergarten in a fun way. To get your free sample lesson, stop by http://www.kidsactivitycalendar.com/letter-a-sample.htm today.

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