<img class="alignleft" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 8px;" title="read" src="http://pi20.wikispaces.com/file/view/read.png" alt="read" width="300px" height="200" />This past November, I wrote a post on Writing to Sanity about encouraging literacy in our homes.  I started off by explaining that Ethan and Mary are voracious readers, and nothing pleases me more than to hear both talk excitedly about a new book that they’re reading.

At the time I wrote the post, they were reading a <span class="removed_link" title="http://cyoa.com/public/index.html">Choose Your Own Adventure</span> book with my dad.  Since then, Ethan has received about ten different CYOA books because of his entrancement.  Say it with me:<strong> reading is a GIFT you give your child. </strong>

<a id="aptureLink_SZOO64auL5" href="http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/21013">Colorin Colorado</a>, a bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners explains the importance of child literacy:

<em>"By giving your child the opportunity to read, you are giving them the opportunity to become stronger readers and students. The gift of reading may start with a simple book or story, but its rewards will be discovered years later when an adult remembers his favorite story as a child, succeeds in achieving her goals, and remembers story time as a part of the day that he/she would look forward to. The gift of reading lasts so much longer than the holidays — it truly is the gift of a lifetime, and is one of the most special things you can share with your children."</em>

Inspiring our children is easier than you might think!
<ul>
	<li>Share conversations with your child over meal times and other times when you are together. Children learn words more easily when they hear them spoken often.</li>
	<li>Introduce new and interesting words at every opportunity.</li>
	<li>Read together every day.  Spend time talking about <a href="http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/results.asp?sid=G3431&amp;gid=93324014&amp;emkt=66&amp;categoryid=3020&amp;submit=Search" target="_blank">stories, pictures, and words</a>.</li>
	<li>Be your child’s best advocate.  Keep informed about your child’s progress in reading and as the teacher about ways you can help.</li>
	<li>Be a reader and a writer.  Children learn habits from the people around them.</li>
	<li>Visit the library often.  Story times, computers, homework help, and other exciting activities await the entire family.</li>
	<li>Get involved in your community!  The NIFL has a Literacy Directory you might find helpful: <a href="http://literacydirectory.org/" target="_blank">http://literacydirectory.org/</a></li>
</ul>
Reading can (and should) be enjoyable for every child.  As a mother, I’ve seen first-hand with my own children how much a child can love to read, if given the right tools.

<em>This post is my first as contributor to the </em><a id="aptureLink_A9gLLLHh8l" href="http://motherboard.yahoo.com/"><em>Yahoo! Mother Board</em></a>.