Spring Break is almost here and it is a great time to relax and have fun. It is also another opportunity to continue to learn. As a parent, you may not know that you help your child read every day. Your house may have several reading materials such as magazines, newspapers, and cookbooks. Read to your child and talk together about familiar stories or examples of how it relates to them.

Remember that talking about reading is very important so if your child is sometimes reluctant to read aloud, discussing a book will also help to develop reading skills. Concentrate on enjoyment and grasping the meaning rather than absolute accuracy. Keep reading time relaxed, comfortable, and pleasurable, in a quiet corner, with the television turned off. Talk about the cover and read the title before rushing your child into the text, asking questions such as: What do you think it will be about?; What sort of book is it?; Have you read one like this before? Look through the book, noticing interesting pictures and words, then read the opening together. As your child progresses, talk about authors, characters, and plots or what new information has been learned. Join your local library together and use it regularly. Watch out for storytelling events, summer reads, and reviews of new titles.

Have a safe and wonderful Spring Break!