Read aloud every day to your child. Or ask her to read to you, friends, and younger children. (Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference!) If your child wishes, read the same books over and over.

Here are some more ideas to try:

• Visit your local library during read-aloud programs and storytelling hours.

• Sign up your child for the library’s summer reading program.

• Check out library books that have “read-along” recordings that your child can listen to as she looks at the pages.

• Help your child look up answers to his questions in dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, or almanacs on the shelf or online.

• Write new or difficult words on index cards or add them to a “Words I’m Learning” list. Review the words daily until your child can recognize, write, and spell them.

• If your child has trouble with certain letters, letter sounds, or words, challenge her to find them on boxes, cans of food, and household supplies. (For example, find five C’s or three words that start with “ch.”)

• Put word labels on things around the house—from the kitchen to the clothing your child wears (“socks,” “shoes,” and so on).

• Encourage your child to write letters to family and friends.

• Play board games that feature letters and words.

• Make books together, letting your child write and draw as much as he wants.

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