Reading is an important part of your child’s overall health and well-being. Children who don’t learn to read well may have emotional and behavioural problems later in life. The skills your child learns early in life will help them well into adulthood.

You can help your child develop good reading skills with these suggestions:

Read to your child.

Make reading part of every day. Even just a few minutes will make a difference. It’s also a great way to create a special bond with your child.

Continue to read out loud to your child even when they can read alone.

Read books that are a bit above your child’s reading level, as long as they are books that they can still understand and enjoy.

Read with your child. Children who are learning to read need to practice. If your child is doing well, regular reading at home is a chance for them to show off their skills. If your child is having trouble, it provides a safe place to practice with someone they trusts.

Be a role model. Your children should see you enjoying reading. If they sees you and other family members reading books, newspapers, and magazines, they’ll learn that reading is important, fun and valuable.

Consider creating a special reading space in your home that is quiet and cozy. Keep books close to this area.

Use rhymes, games and songs. Singing traditional songs and telling stories can all enhance your child’s learning opportunities. This can also be a great way to expose your child to other languages.

Limit screen time. Create time for reading by limiting the amount of time your child spends in front of a screen, including televisions, computers, tablets, smartphones, and video games.

Give your child a choice of books. Present a few books that are the right type and length for your child, and let them choose. Children might choose the biggest (or smallest) book, or the one with the most attractive cover. Students who are behind in their reading level may not want to be seen with a book that is “babyish,” so they may choose books that are too hard for them. Sometimes, books for older students with low reading levels may be boring. A good strategy is to say, “You choose one, I choose one.”

If your child has trouble reading, choose stories that she can relate to. Look for stories they already know or that offer experiences they can relate to or illustrations they recognize.

Encourage your child to read to your pets. They can be very patient listeners, especially for nervous readers. Some libraries and animal shelters even have pet reading buddy programs.

Focus on meaning. Reading well is about understanding meaning, not just knowing how to say the words.

If your child is stuck on a word, don’t just “sound it out.” Talk about the text and ask questions.

Help your child figure out the word by re-reading the rest of the page, or looking at pictures.

Try not to interrupt unless the mistake affects your child’s ability to understand the text.

At the end of the paragraph or chapter, go back to words your child didn’t know or had trouble sounding out and review them together.

If your child is an impatient reader, choose books that have movement. Books with short chapters or “cliff-hangers” encourage children to keep reading. Use sound effects and different voices to help keep the story interesting.

Have fun with word play. Tell jokes with puns, and play games that involve words, like Scrabble, Boggle and hangman. Do crossword puzzles together. Play “I spy” with letter sounds instead of colours.

Books aren’t just for bedtime. Get your child in the habit of bringing something to read when in the car, at the bus stop, or in a waiting room.