Get Caught Reading

Make sure your young child catches you in the act of reading--whether it is a book, magazine, newspaper, or yesterday’s basketball scores. Then go beyond just getting caught. Point out the ways you use reading every day. If you are studying a train schedule, or looking at a map before hitting the road, point it out.  Explain that you are about to read the ingredients of a recipe or instructions for putting together a toy or setting up a piece of equipment. Read them out loud. It may seem obvious to you, but it will help your young child catch on to the many ways reading is the key to . . . everything!