YES, even though they are older now and frequently reading on their own. Try to establish a daily routine that includes a time to read together. Bedtime is a traditional favorite, but any time will work that is convenient for you and your family. Let your child see you reading for pleasure as well as for information. Let your child know that you value reading. Give your child the opportunity to read aloud to you, a friend, another family member or another child.
Make the experience a chance for your child to share their new reading skills. Have your child read the book silently before asking him to read it aloud. Correct mistakes only when the mistake changes the meaning of the sentence and then supply the word without making him feel bad for having made a mistake.
Include Your Child
In your day-to-day reading experiences share recipes, the newspaper, magazines, the TV Guide, cereal boxes, menus, road signs, etc. Our world is full of things to read if we are aware of our surroundings.
Have Comprehension Conversations
Talk to your child about the books they are reading. Tell her about books you enjoyed when you were a child and ones that you are reading now. Have your child retell stories read aloud starting with the beginning, details from the middle, and the ending.
Most of all-Have Fun Reading!
Special thanks to Mrs. Fowler for her Summer Reading Note to parents in her May Newsletter. Mrs. Fowler was my daughter’s Kindergarten teacher at Steele Creek Elementary – part of Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools.