Be genuinely interested in the work your child brings home. Your interest will make your child want to do better in school. Never use reading as a punishment. Introduce the fun of language to babies through nursery rhymes and lullabies. Have your child dictate a short story to you.
Children love to tell stories.
Help your child to read it back to you. Then see if he or she can read it alone. Develop vocabulary by having your child give the opposite of words such as red, up, uncle, open, stand, etc. Use the TV as a springboard to help in the reading development of your child. Watch TV with your child and discuss the program.