Research shows that birth through age five is the most important time for children to develop their brains and attitudes towards reading and learning. PLAY-GROW-READ! gives parents fun ideas and information to help prepare children for school and encourage a lifelong love of reading. From tips and teaching aids for parents to developmental activities for children, PLAY-GROW-READ is your early literacy resource! For more information, select a PLAY-GROW-READ link below.
1. Spend time with your children talking, telling stories and singing songs. These are fun and important activities that help children get ready for reading.
2. Read to and with your children every day. This shows that daily reading and spending time together is important.
3. Let your children help choose the books you read together. This will help keep your children’s interest.
4. Find a comfortable place to read and sit close to your children. This helps create a special feeling at reading time.
5. Change your voice and the pace that you read to fit the story. This makes the story more interesting for your children.
6. After reading a book, talk about the story. Discussing the pictures and the main ideas in a book helps develop understanding.
7. Let your children see you reading books, newspapers, and magazines. This sets an example for children that you enjoy and value reading.
8. Take your children to the library regularly. Libraries are a wonderful place to find books and so much more.
