Tips for Helping Children 

Learn to Read

SM
The No Child Left Behind

Act of 2001 helps to ensure

that all children receive a

high-quality education and

holds schools responsible for

making sure that all children

are learning. The information

in this brochure is consistent

with this important law. 

This brochure provides information about how

you can help build your child’s reading and

language skills during the early years of life.

Reading well is at the heart of all learning.

Without the ability to read, children can’t

succeed in school.

Background

Children begin to develop language skills in

infancy. Whether or not English is your first

language isn’t important. What’s important is

talking with your child. To understand the

connection between children’s early experiences

with spoken language and learning to read, think

of language as a four-legged stool. The four legs

are talking, listening, reading and writing. All

four legs are important; each helps to support

and balance the other. 

Research has shown that most of the reading

problems faced by adolescents and adults today

could have been prevented if they’d gotten the

proper help during early childhood. 

“As parents,

the most

important

thing we can

do is read to

our children

early and

often. ... When

children learn

to love books,

they learn to

love learning.”

—Laura Bush
Selecting Childcare or Schools in the Early Years

As you choose a school or center where your child’s language and reading skills

will be nurtured, look for: 

Adults trained to help children learn language basics, such as letters and

corresponding sounds.

Lots of appealing books. 

Ample time each day for reading and language activities.

Crayons or markers and plenty of paper.

Illustrations on the walls of letters matched with words and of words

matched with pictures. 

An atmosphere where children enjoy learning. 

Introducing Babies and Toddlers Birth to 2 Years 

To Language

Talk to your baby or toddler often. Show him things, name them and talk about

them. Encourage him to babble or try to communicate with you. Sing songs

and read nursery rhymes. 

Read with your baby or toddler each day, even if it’s just for a short time. Make

it a special time that he enjoys. 

Check at your local public library for books made especially for babies and

toddlers—such as interactive books (lift-the-flap or touch-and-feel) and books

made of cardboard or cloth. Encourage your child to handle the books, which

will help with motor and language development. 

“Reading is more than a pastime. In today’s w
Ideas for Helping Preschoolers Ages 3 and 4 Get

Ready to Read

Among other ideas, the following may be helpful to you:

Keep up the conversations, book-sharing and trips to the library. Look

for alphabet books and books of poems and rhymes.

Point out letters and simple, familiar words in books and signs. Help

your child read his name or write it with crayons or magnetic letters.

Encourage him to tell you stories, to put happenings into a logical order.

Read books and sing songs with rhymes. Play rhyming games. For

instance, as you’re reading or singing, stop before a rhyming word and

ask your child to fill in the blank. 

Check with your school district or other service providers about early

childhood learning materials they may have.

Ideas for Kindergartners and Early First-graders

Ages 5 and 6

Join your child in simple activities that involve talking, reading or

writing, such as following a recipe or writing a note. 

Keep that special time each day for reading aloud together.

At the library, look for books for beginning readers and encourage your

child to read to you when she’s ready.

world, it’s a survival skill.” 

—Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings 
More Ideas for All Ages

Let your child see you enjoy reading.

Limit TV viewing and computer use, and monitor what your child

watches on TV and does on the computer.

For concerns about your child’s development, check with 

your pediatrician.

Working With Your Child’s School

Children whose first language is not English can still become excellent readers

in English. Whether you do the activities suggested in Spanish or in English,

you are still supporting him as he learns English language and reading skills.

When your child first enters school, talk with his teacher. If you feel you need

help in meeting with the teacher, ask a relative, neighbor or someone else in your

community to join you.

Let the teacher know what you are doing at home to strengthen your child’s

speaking and reading in Spanish and English. Ask the teacher for ideas.

Children who can switch back and forth between languages have accomplished

something special: they understand two languages. They should be encouraged

in such language learning. 

Examples of Resources

U.S. Department of Education: www.ed.gov or

http://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es/index.html?src=gu

or call 1-800-USA-LEARN

Bilingual information on helping children learn to read:

www.ColorinColorado.org or www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading

Early childhood reading activities, bilingual:

http://www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/RSRkit.html

NOTE: This document contains information about and from public and private entities and organizations

for the reader’s information. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department

of Education of any entity, organization, products or services offered or views expressed. This

publication also contains hyperlinks and URLs created and maintained by outside organizations and

provided for the reader’s convenience. The Department is not responsible for the accuracy of

information found in them.