One of the best things you can do for your child’s learning is to regularly share stories with him or her. The simple act of reading isn’t just about helping your offspring nod off at night. Reading aloud has a myriad of advantages, including:

• Building a bond between you and your child while creating special memories of happy times reading with mom and dad.
• Helping your child listen to language in exciting new ways.
• Allowing them to become immersed in a story.
• Helping your child perform better in listening, reading, and writing.

Simply reading a little every night can turn your child into a lifelong reader and that in turn will create a learner for life. Here are 10 top-notch reading tips for you and your child.

1. Make Reading a Daily Event

Even if you’re only reading for a few minutes, make time to read every day. Not only does this become a familiar routine for your child, but they’ll look forward to quality time together.

2. Set the Scene

Create a comfortable spot to enjoy together. Whether it’s a pile of cushions or lying on the grass, create that spot that you and your child will look forward to relaxing in.

3. Involve Your Child

Get your child involved in choosing the literature. This will help keep him or her engaged in storytime.

4. Don’t Forget the Cover

One of the top reading tips Read Smart suggests is to start by chatting about the cover. Talk about what the book could be about. Have your child guess who the characters are and what the title is.

5. Creating the Experience

Try to use different tones and voices to fit the characters. You don’t need to be a pro, simply change your voice inflections here and there to make story time more stimulating. Remember not to rush through the book, take your time working through the journey.

6. Show the Pictures

Images help a child connect to the story.

7. Have a Discussion

Once you’re done, chat about the story. Look at the illustrations again and discuss hard words. Encourage your child to figure out what words mean by sounding them out and looking at pictures.

8. Make Connections

Try to relate the story to something in your child’s life.

9. Ask Questions

Get your child thinking about the book with questions like, What did you like and not like? What did you learn? Why did you laugh at the point?

10. Mix It Up

Try alternating between fiction and nonfiction for different learning experiences.

Get Your Child Reading Smarter

If you’d like to enhance your child’s reading skills, talk to Read Smart about our reading tutor centers and give your child a great learning advantage. Call us today.