It’s back to school time. Parents often ask about what they can do to help their children become better readers. The answer is easy. Reading Specialists around the world want to encourage parents to read to their children every day. Share some specific titles, such as Dr. Seuss books or personal favorites, and share the importance of every day.

     Are the children more interested in reading to themselves? That’s fine. Encourage parents to join the fun. Talk to parents about popping some popcorn, grabbing a good book, and sitting beside their child. This will help the child to read a bit longer. What’s most important is that parents share the message that reading is fun, enjoyable, and important to learn. Those are the children teachers can teach.

Talking to children before heading to bed might be more effective in helping them learn language than reading to them. According to an article in the recent Reading Today magazine, citing researchers from UCLA School of Public Health, basic conversation could be up to six times more effective than reading. Even if a baby or toddler cannot form words, primitive responses to a conversation may help develop language skills. What to do with this? Encourage parents to both read and talk with their children often.