Reading Tips for Parents

Colorado State Library shares reading tips to help families support young chldren to develop early literacy skills.  While these tips are not specific to children with visual impairments, they can easily be adapted for all children.

• Choose a quiet spot for you and your child.
• Read aloud at least 15 minutes a day to your child.
• Establish a routine time and place to read to your child (not just at bedtime).
• Talk with your child when you play and do daily activities together.
• Visit the library/bookstore with your child to attend storytimes, choose books to read at home, etc.
• Obtain library cards for yourself and your children.
• Make a special place in your home where your child can read and write.
• Keep books and other reading materials where your child can reach them.
• Keep washable, nontoxic crayons and markers and paper where your child can reach them.
• Take books and writing supplies whenever you leave home, so that your child can read and write wherever you go.
• Show your child how you read every day for fun and work.
• Point out to your children the printed words in your home and in the community.
• Talk with your children about their experiences.
• Encourage your child to read independently in his or her own way (“reading” words that aren’t really in print to tell a story).
• Verbally “label” familiar objects as you talk with your child.
• Talk to your child as if he or she is a reader now (in process).
• Listen to your child.
• Talk about how you use reading every day.
• Talk about every day happenings. Explain what you are doing and how things work.
• Make your reading fun by using different voices for different parts of the story.
• Talk about the book that you are reading with your child. Help him or her to make connections.

The document also includes information about developmental levels and techniques for reading with children from birth through Kindergarten.