Most parents know that learning to read is one of the most important activities their children will do in school. Most parents also know that even if they are not home schooling, there are things they can do at home to help their children learn to read. Here are some suggestions you can easily implement in your home as your children are learning to write and read in school.

First, always read with your child. In fact, one of the first learning activities you will do at home is reading to your child. You can read to your baby from birth, but research indicates that it will begin to be effective at around six months of age. When you read to your baby, toddler, preschooler, or elementary child, you are teaching him that reading is fun. This will help him to be motivated to learn how to read, whether in a traditional or home school setting.

Always point out words as you go about your day. From the back of the cereal box to the billboards along the road, words are everywhere. Show them to your child. This will help your child understand that reading is not just for fun, but it is also a practical skill that will help her to succeed in life.

Model reading to your child. Whether you are reading the morning paper, a magazine, or a novel, make sure your child sees you reading. Talk to your child about the things you are reading on a level that she will understand. This will show her that even grown ups read, encouraging her to work hard at learning to read.

Finally, help your child listen to the sounds of the language. Help your child with accurate pronunciation. Use computer programs such as Child Font to reinforce the different sounds your child is learning. This will help him to better relate to phonetic instruction when he enters an actual school setting.