1. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Studies show that reading can be relaxing.  Reading is a good  ‘downtime’ after a hectic day.

At bedtime and after prayers are said, is one of the best times to read. Get a few books that your preschooler likes and read them to them every night.  Repetition is key.   Younger children can read the pictures and tell you what is happening.  For older children, read a few pages together from a chapter book.  You can read a small section and then have them read a small section.    Your teen should have a book that they can read from each night.  20 – 30 minutes is good.

2. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Studies show that reading strengthens the brain at all age levels.

Getting ready for school and for work in the mornings can be a challenge.  But try to take the time and have your youngsters read the information (ingredients, directions) on the cereal boxes or oatmeal boxes.  Younger children can circle the words or letters they recognize.  Older children can read the nutritional values and compare them with other breakfast foods. Reading must come early on in life and it has to be consistent throughout life for good brain function.

3. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Studies show that reading improves test scores.

Have your children read the road and business signs they pass as you drive to and from school.  On longer trips, have them follow along on a street map.  Highlight the roads and highways you will take beforehand.

4. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

 Studies show that reading can increase knowledge. 

When you go shopping, have your child read the large signs marking the aisles of food.  They can read the items you have on your shopping list and check off the items that you place in the shopping cart.

5. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Studies show that reading and discussing stories with your child improves healthy relationships.

Have your child write the shopping list – groceries, clothing, etc.  If necessary, physically help children form the letters properly with correct spacing.  (The dollar stores have print and handwriting books that you can buy to help your child practice forming letters and words.) After writing the list, have them check off the items as they are found and put in the shopping cart.  You can go further and have them use a calculator and run a tally of the amount of food in the basket.  They can then compare their tally with the one given at the cash register.  Have them compare prices and ingredients.  If diabetes runs in your family genes, have them check for sugar content in food items.

6. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Studies show that reading may improve social interaction by increasing feelings of understanding and sympathy.

Use sticky notes to write and post short notes to your child.  “Have a great day at school”, “Make sure to clean your room”, “I love you”,   “Thank you for helping your brother with his homework”, etc.   Have them write their own thank you notes to others for gifts, attendance to a function, etc.

7. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Studies show that reading improves language and verbal skills

Use sticky notes to label items in the home- refrigerator, cabinet, dresser, table, etc.  Have them read the words on the house furniture before using them.    Older children can come up with word variations.  Example, ‘refrigerator, refrigeration, refrigerating.  They can also come up with a synonym for home furniture: cabinet – cupboard.

8. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Build a library for your child.  You can start with a box where they can store the books that they have read.   Your teen can use bookstands instead of a box.

In addition, create a word box for your child and have them store the words they have learned.  They can do all sorts of things with the words.  They can alphabetize them.  They can put them in categories of the parts of speech – nouns, verbs, and adjectives.    You can play a game of pulling a word and then stating a complete sentence using the word.  Take turns.  You can pull a word and say a sentence using the word and then they can pull a word.  Older children can keep their new words wrapped in a rubber band or on a paper fastener or on a loose-leaf binder ring.  Your teen can use the words to make up a short story.

9. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

Books can be expensive, but you can buy gently used books for as little as $.10 at the resale shops or at library sales.

Have your children read the names and addresses on letters that come to the house and sort them by function, name, advertisement, etc.   Have relatives and friends send your child their birthday card through the mail.  Everyone loves to get mail as long as they are not bills to pay.  J  Your child will have fun reading their cards and letters to you.   Show them how to properly address and stamp an envelope and send thank you notes and letters to those family, teachers, and friends who have given gifts or helped them in some way.

10. Read to your child every day and have them read to you.

 Have family and friends buy books for your children at birthdays, baby showers, Christmas, Kwanzaa and other holidays and events.

Have your child dictate a sentence to you.  You can read it and then have them read it.  Older children can dictate a short story to you.  They can illustrate and draw pictures of it.   Have them read it to you.

Have fun! 

Let’s read, Detroit!