| Many studies have been carried out that look at the | | | | can make visits to local bookshops and libraries a |
| effects of parental involvement in their children's | | | | favourite treat so that books become associated |
| reading development. Results have shown that this | | | | with pleasure in the child's mind. Enthusiasm and |
| factor is a significant and beneficial contributor to the | | | | anticipation when preparing to go out to buy or |
| child's reading progress in primary and secondary | | | | borrow a book will indicate to the child that this is a |
| schools. The evidence is that young children whose | | | | fun activity that he or she can look forward to. |
| parents read to them have better language | | | | Parents can involve the child in the process of |
| development and enjoy an advantage during primary | | | | choosing a book. Some children find non-fiction books |
| school over those children whose parents do not. | | | | about animals and cars etc. more entertaining than |
| Parents can set the scene for their child's | | | | fiction and they should be allowed to follow their |
| involvement with books and enjoyment of reading in | | | | preference if it leads to a happier reading experience. |
| many ways. One of the most powerful ways of | | | | Also, many children enjoy comics where they can |
| teaching a youngster to read is for parents to read | | | | follow the story by looking at the pictures. Children |
| themselves. Children learn by observation and | | | | love looking at pictures and drawings. Most books for |
| imitation and as parents are the most important | | | | young children contain colourful illustrations which will |
| people in their world, seeing their mother and father | | | | attract children to look inside the covers. |
| get pleasure from reading books will make a strong | | | | Many libraries have story corners where an adult - |
| impression on the child's mind. Another way of | | | | sometimes even well-known authors - read books to |
| preparing a child for reading is to ensure he or she | | | | the children. These can be great fun if the reader is a |
| has a book-rich environment where books, magazines | | | | competent storyteller and can bring the stories alive. |
| and newspapers can be seen and handled. Being able | | | | Reading should be presented as a normal, satisfying |
| to physically interact with books is important to the | | | | and important part of family life and this will go a long |
| child's learning process. | | | | way to ensuring that children view reading as a |
| Book readiness should begin when the child is very | | | | pleasurable activity. |
| young although it is never too late to start. Parents | | | | |