3. Read Books With Your Child - Actively

Reading books every day with your child can help with many areas of development such as speech and language acquisition, eye-hand coordination, cognitive-linguistic skills and more.  However, to make the most of reading time - do more than simply read aloud while your child listens.  Even if your child can't read yet, there is much he or she can do to engage further in the activity to enhance learning and development. 

Here are some suggestions:

• Name pictures in the book and have your child point to them.  This builds receptive vocabulary, and the fine motor task of pointing.

• Have your child name pictures in the book that you point to.  This builds expressive vocabulary.

• After your child has become familiar with a story, when you read it remain silent during key parts and allow your child to fill in the missing word(s).  This will help with speech and language development, memory and attention.

• Allow your child to turn the pages.  This is excellent motor practice for little hands, and facilitates reading readiness as your child will learn the correct direction of reading.

• Ask "wh" questions after you read a pages.  That is, "who, what, where, when and why".  Adjust your questions to your child's age and ability.

• Ask your child to retell the story.  Allow him or her to utilize the book as a reference.

Try adding more to this list during your reading routines.  Just remember, that reading with your child should be interactive and engaging.  Happy reading!