Gigi Morales David
Children's Author - Educational Consultant

READING

• Read to your children on a daily basis (they like to hear the same book many times)
• Teach the letters of the alphabet and review them in daily activities (books, signs, mail, food boxes, etc)
• Keep books in the car, bathroom, kitchen, etc.
• Visit the library on a regular basis
• Recite rhymes and encourage children to memorize them
• Read your own books and magazines in front of your children so they can witness that you value reading
• Introduce new words to your children as you talk with them each day
• Encourage your children to read to you each day (early stages: memorizing words or picture reading should be encouraged)
• Encourage children to make predictions about what may happen in the story
• Ask children questions that help them to internalize the story
• Focus on the meaning of the words and the story and ask children to summarize
• As children read or hear stories, encourage them to make connections with their own lives and with other books
• Focus on the author’s choice of words
• Ask children to point out the words they recognize
• Ask children to explain the job of an author and an illustrator
• Expose children to fiction and nonfiction books
• Ask children to share their likes and dislikes regarding the books you share
• Allow your child to read in bed

WRITING

• Keep writing materials accessible to children and encourage them to make cards and write letters to family and friends
• Write letters, lists, phone messages and notes in front of the children
• Teach children how to write down phone messages
• Keep drawing materials accessible and encourage children to draw and label their drawings
• Involve children in writing down the grocery list
• Ask children to tell you about their drawing and then use their words to write a sentence about the drawing
• Provide a memo board for the family and encourage everyone to write something each day
• Post an alphabet near to the writing materials to help the beginner
• Set aside a daily writing time for the family
• Accept and encourage children’s early writing attempts
• Children enjoy writing about experiences they have had
• Help children plan their writing and then help them revise it
• Beginning writers talk aloud as they write, it helps them think

Recommended Reading List for Parents

Binkley, M. (1988). Becoming a nation of readers, what parents can do. Indianapolis, IN:D.C. Heath & Co.

Butler, D. & Clay, M. (1979). Reading begins at home. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Cullinan, Bernice E. (1992). Read to me: raising kids who love to read. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Lamme, L. (1985). Growing up reading. Washington, D.C.: Acropolis Books Ltd.

Trelease, J. (1989). The New Read-Aloud Handbook. NY: Penguin Books

You may have tangible wealth untold:

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold

Richer than I you can never be-

I had mother who read to me.

Strickland Gillilan

Poems, Short Stories and Other Writings

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Last edited April, 2006