At Wacona, we are committed to having every child reading independently and well by the end of third grade.  We know that the ability to read is the foundation for school success and that early involvement by parents can increase reading skills.  Listed below are some ways that parents can support their children as they read and mold positive reading habits.
 

1. Read with and to your children.  Don't stop because your children are old enough to read for themselves.
2. Listen to your children read.  Arrange to have your children read to other family members.
3. Make regular family visits to the public or school library.
4. Buy books for your children's birthdays and special holidays.  Ownership encourages interest.
5. Praise your children's efforts and accomplishments in reading.  If a child feels good about reading, he/she will be more likely to view reading as a positive activity.
6. Be a good model.  Let your children know you think reading is important by demonstrating that reading is a part of your everyday life.  Let them see you reading the newspaper, a magazine, and/or a book.

Finally, if all else fails, follow the advice of Robert Frost.

When asked how youngsters could best be taught to read he replied, "Surround them with so many books they stumble over them."