Read to a child: The best thing a parent can do for their children!

Learn the alphabet, learn the letter sounds, practice writing, look at books, talk, sing and dance...there are many things we can do to help children, while in their early years, to become readers when they are older.  But, of all the things parents can do, there is only one that research shows will virtually guarantee that a child will learn to read:  Read to them!  Read to them in the morning, read to them before nap, read to them in the evening.  Children love the cozy, safe feeling of sitting a parent or loved one's lap and listening to their favorite stories being read over and over again.  Reading to your child can have many benefits besides teaching her/him valuable language and literacy skills.

According to the Family Literacy Foundation, the many benefits of reading aloud with children are:

• Children's self esteem grows as they experience the security of having a parent or other caring person read aloud with them.
• Children experience increased communication with parents and other family members.
• Children are introduced to new concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and alphabet, in a fun, age appropriate way.
• Children build listening skills, vocabulary, memory, and language skills.
• Children develop imagination and creativity.
• Children learn information about the world around them.
• Children develop individual interests in special subjects like dinosaurs, cats, or cars.
• Children learn positive behavior patterns and social values.
• Children learn positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
• CHILDREN LEARN THE JOY OF READING! 

So, find a book, today, that your child loves and start a daily reading time at home!