Do you want your child to develop a love of reading? Are you interested in setting your child up for success as he or she gets ready for school? You may be thinking there is no way you can do those things, especially when you keep hearing educators using terms like literacy, emergent reading and reading readiness. The truth is, almost anyone can begin to help his or her child get ready to read by simply reading with the child.

Reading Works!

Studies have shown that reading to your child is one of the most important reading readiness building blocks. In fact, according to the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child’s review of The Effects of Early Reading With Parents on Developing Literacy Skills, “Reading to very young children, even before children have begun to identify letters, can form an important foundation for vocabulary development and language skills later in life.” And here you thought your cozy bedtime story routine was just a fun way to get your child to sleep!

Another major building block? Reading your own books and magazines in front of your child.

Of course, there are other ways to help children develop reading readiness skills, too. I will talk about them in the Grow Young Minds blog, where I will also be reviewing some of my favorite children’s books.