A Checklist For A Different Sort of Playtime.

Another area of play is not considered playtime by many people. However, it should be. Reading or being read to for a child opens up new worlds which take that child to new places, provides new experience, opens up greater creativity, and further stimulates the mind. If reading was considered more of a play opportunity then a greater amount of children would excel in reading. Below is a checklist or tips to help instill the desire of reading in your child.

• Read to your child daily.even if it is a short story.
• Discuss the parts of the story, colors, animals, houses, people, etc. Ask your child questions (naturally not forced). Ask him/her to predict what happens next. However, spend more time reading to your child.
• Give your child an option of what he/she wants you to read.
• Use an appropriate age level book
• Reward your child (through appreciation, i.e. "that is a neat idea" or "that is good!") when he/she offers ideas or thoughts about what was read.
• Don't quiz your child with questions just make it fun.
• Take your child to the library to pick out books. .and make available a variety of appropriate age level reading material including picture books, novels, magazines, comic strips, reference articles, poems, rhymes, mysteries, instructions/directions, etc.
• Provide times for your child to read alone.

Here are some ideas on good books 0 to 24mo., and 2 years up