How to Excite Your Reader

    I have found that the most effective way to encourage reading is to make sure that your student has books available at the appropriate skill level. If you want your student to be excited about reading he/she needs to be successful right from the start.
    Therefore, you need to supply books that the student can actually read in some way. As your student learns some simple sight words, e.g., the, to, I, my, this, and a few letter sounds (s,t,i,a,p,n) he/she will be able to read simple books by relying on those words and sounds ("The cat sat" or "The dog naps"). Students are often frustrated that they are not really "reading" a book. So help them really "read" a book! One or two words per page? Not a problem. When they finish reading you say "You are a reader!". "You read that book all by yourself"! Make a big deal about your student's accomplishments.
    You can even begin with books that have no words and have the student relate a story to you based on the pictures. Fold some blank paper and make your own books. Can't draw? Use stickers or pictures from magazines and newspapers. Family photos, "This is my mom", "This is my dad".  Have the student draw the pictures and help write a simple story. "The Animals" written and illustrated by (insert your student's name).  "The cat.", "The zebra",  with his/her name as the author and illustrator just like on a "real" book. 
    Where else do you find such material? One suggestion is to visit the site Reading A to Z (readinga-z.com).
This subscription site allows you to print out books at a wide variety of skill levels. Make an investment in your child's education. They also offer a free trial. These books can be printed out and read over and over again. There is also a site I like, "speld-sa.org.au" which has many leveled books and related materials for free download.
    All of this takes time and effort on your part. Make the time,
​and take the effort.
Early reading success is essential. ​