A child sits in the recliner totally engulfed in a Nancy Drew book.  Another child lays nestled next to Mom in their bed drifting off to sleep just as she finishes GoodNight Moon. And yet another Another child begs Dad to rush off to the bookstore to get the newest copy of Harry Potter.  Sounds like the ideal child readers.  As parents and caregivers, we can encourage children to blossom into developed readers.

Here are 10 tips:

1.   Be a role model!  Your children look up to you and copy your actions.  Show them that reading is enjoyable.  If you don't read novels, that's fine.  Let them see you read the newspaper or a magazine.  Anything! 

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2.   Have reading materials everywhere.  Have books on a shelf in the living room (one shelf for you, one for the kids.).  Keep a magazine rack in the den (They even have "board book Magazines" for little kids.).  Keep a newspaper or a collection of short stories in the bathroom.  Have favorites stored beside your bed.  In other words, make sure there are plenty of opportunities for you and your children to read.

3.   Cater to your children's interests.  Don't worry if all your child wants to read is comic books, horror stories, or sports magazines.  Also encourage reading by giving your child a book with their favorite TV show characters, or one about their favorite music group, or one that teaches them how to do cool skateboarding moves.  Reading is supposed to be fun.

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4.   Read aloud and/or together.  Reading to your kids starting at a young age is one of the best ways to encourage a future reader, but don't stop reading aloud once your child can read on their own.  Read books together.  Don't worry about your reading skills.  Your children don't care.  Make it fun!  Act out the story together.  Don't forget to share your reactions to the books you've read even with very young children.

5.   Give books as gifts.  They are the perfect gift, alone or in conjunction with other gifts.   Don't only give them to your children, but to all those children whose birthday parties you and/or your child will be attending and to Grandma & Grandpa, and Daddy, and Mommy, and....  Books also make great gifts for special accomplishments.  For example, A book about "being a big kid" after learning to pee in the potty, or a book about cars after getting a drivers license.

6.  Listen to books.  Buy or borrower Audiobooks.  They are a great equalizer on family car trips.  No fighting over the music selection.  They are also a great way to introduce a different type of book.  Cracker Barrel stores will even let you "rent" audiobooks to listen to on road trip that you can return at any other Cracker Barrel.

I have audiobooks available, too.

7.   Get kids interested in a series.  A series is an easy way to encourage additional reading, and there are plenty of them out there.  See #3, #5, and #6 to get ideas on how to get them started.

8.  Visit the library.  Often libraries have reading time for younger kids.  Some even let older children do the reading.  Also visit the library when they are not too busy and have the librarian teach you (if you don't know) and your child how to use everything in the library.

9.   Read with purpose or meaning.  Encourage reading about the place you will be spending your family vacation.  Encourage reading about buying bikes before your child gets that new 10 speed.  Also encourage reading and collecting books about places, people, and things that have meaning to your child.  A book that reminds them of Grandma, a book they purchased on vacation, or a book that their first best friend gave them.

10.  Offer incentives for reading.  Take your child to see the movie after they have read the book.  Even simple things, like letting your child pick out the grilled cheese sandwich off the menu instead of the well rounded meal one night because they took the time to read to menu.  The list goes on and on.

I hope this list helps you encourage your little active readers...To pick up some great books for you and your children, be sure to Check out My Store!  And add me to your favorite sellers!

Thank You!