How To Raise a Good Reader!

Even if you child isn't a natural-born bookworm, here's how you can help encourage him/her to love literature, according to an article in the August 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping.

1. Keep reading together, even if you kids can breeze through a book on their own.  Reading aloud can expand their vocabulary, and your chats about the book will help them comprehend and appreciate more.

2. If a book is too difficult for your children to read on their own, shelve it, or you read the entire book aloud. Just make sure you stop and discuss words or parts of the story they may not understand. The whole purpose of reading is to understand and enjoy the story.

3. Listen to audio books.  They aren't "cheating"; they're a terrific way to engage kids in a good yarn.  Press play during car rides or after dinner.

4. Revisit favorites.  A second read is a great way to discuss subtleties and encourages your kids to focus on more than just the plot.

5. Check out bookadventure.com; it matches kids (K-8) with books they'll enjoy.