Parent Tips

• Make sure books are at your student’s grade level.  Too easy, and your student may not reap the benefits of reading.  Too hard, and your student may get discouraged.
• Figure out the topics that your student will want to read about.  And remember, they can read fun books, too!  Look for sports biographies, books about animals, and titles by successful children’s books authors.
• Use the Lexile service to locate titles within your child’s reading level.  If your child already has a favorite book, use Lexiles to locate similar books.
• Read with your children of any age – alternate reading aloud to each other.
• Let your child plan dinner – find recipes, write out needed ingredients – and then have him or her read the recipes aloud to you as you cook together.
• Ask your child to read things to you, such as the weather forecast, cartoons, or the sports page of a newspaper. 
• Go to the library together, and encourage your child to get his or her own library card.
• Limit television or video game time, but avoid using a time limit as a punishment for not reading or even as rewards for reading.
• Look for children’s magazines, such as Highlights, Sports Illustrated for Kids, or National Geographic for Kids.
• Let your child see you reading for pleasure as well as reading for work.