You could say that your baby starts on the road to becoming a reader on the day she is born and first hears the sounds of your voice. Every time you speak to her, sing to her, and respond to the sounds that she makes, you strengthen your child's understanding of language. With you to guide her, she is well on her way to becoming a reader.
To understand the connection between a child's early experiences with spoken language and learning to read, you might think of language as a four-legged stool. The four legs are talking, listening, reading, and writing. All four legs are important; each leg helps to support and balance the others.
This website gives you information about how you can use your language skills to build your child's skills. It offers suggestions about how you can:
• Talk with and listen to your child.
• Read together with her.
• Help your child learn about books and print.
• Encourage your child's early writing efforts.
• Help your child learn to read if his first language is not • English.
• Prepare your child for success in school.
