Help 
            Your Child Make The Grade In Reading 
            
             
          Now 
            that children are well into the school year, why not give yourself 
            a little test to see if you are providing your child with the necessary 
            essentials of reading.  
          
 
            Are you reading each day with your child?  
          
 
            Do you set aside quiet time (no TV) for study?  
          
 
            Do you check to see if he/she understands what they read?  
          
 
            If your child shows a special interest in a topic, do you help him/her 
            to get information?  
          
 
            Does your child read carefully?  
            
             
          
Do 
            you give your child different reasons to read?  
          
Are 
            you helping to show your child that there are many different reasons 
            to read? Take this quiz to find out.  
          
Give 
            your self five points for something you do often, zero points for 
            something you never do-or something in between. 
            
             
          
1. 
            I encourage my child to find new recipes he would like to try. 
             
          
2. 
            I do crossword puzzles with my child.  
          
3. 
            I ask my child to read maps and choose the best routes.  
          
4. 
            I ask my child to help find information in the yellow pages. 
             
          
5. 
            I encourage my child to read for pleasure. 
            
             
          
How 
            did you score?  
          
Twenty 
            points and above means you are showing your child that there are many 
            different reasons to read. 15-19 is average. Below 15? Try some of 
            the ideas in the quiz, and see if they make a difference. 
            
             
          
Don't 
            stop reading!  
          
Just 
            because your child has learned to read on his own, doesn't mean you 
            should stop reading with them. If he doesn't want you to read to him, 
            ask him to read to you.  
            
             
          
I 
            hope these ideas will encourage all of you parents to continue to 
            help your child gain a stronger desire to read, Our children are getting 
            so much of their education these days through visual stimulation (TV, 
            computer, movies, etc.), that we are slowly becoming a nation of non-readers. 
            Let's break that cycle and continue to encourage our children to read. 
            HAPPY READING. 
            
            
            
          
            
             
          
Nanci 
            Ross is a reading specialist in Salt Lake City, Utah.