Ages 3 – 5:

• Read her favorite book over and over
• Follow the text with your finger while reading
• Read together every day

Ages 6 – 8:

• Read books with your child every day for at least 30 minutes a day
• Take turns reading and listening
• Do not hurry or criticize if the child is having a difficult time pronouncing a word
• Discuss the story immediately after reading

Ages 8 and above:

• Let your child select what they prefer to read
• Subscribe to a magazine of their choice
• Provide a quiet, well lit place for him to read
• Give her a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words
  
  
  

The foundation for reading begins at birth.  Talking or singing to your baby teaches sounds and tones which they will want to imitate.  Read to your baby while holding or cuddling her. 

At around 4 to 6 months, hold the book so the baby can see the pictures in it while you are reading.  Use books that have high contrast images such as dots, stripes, etc.  Point to the pictures as you read the story.

Around 12 months, use touch and feel books that have different textures, flaps, openings, sounds, etc. 

When the child becomes a toddler:

• Keep books on a lower shelf where the toddler can access them
• Read to your child at the same time every day
• Let the toddler choose his favorite book
• Talk about the pictures, colors, or shapes in the book8.