For Parents

You are the most important person in your child's life, and for children learning to read, there is no substitute for reading one-on-one with a parent. When you read to your children, you give them a guaranteed front-row seat. They can follow the words with their eyes and ask questions, and they have your undivided attention–even the best classroom teacher in town cannot do this!

Looking for ideas about what to read to your child?

Check out Cleveland Reads' book list

Does your child need help with reading?

Call Cleveland Reads' Literacy Hotline at (216) 436-2222 to find out about tutoring programs. Our staff will refer you to available programs based on your child's age and needs, and where you live.

Want to get your kids interested in reading?

Keep a variety of reading materials in your home (books, magazines, newspapers)
Let your children see you reading for fun
Take your children to the library
Express interest in what your children are reading in school

Tips for reading with your child

Select the most appropriate book for your child by using the chart below.

Age	Books The Child Will Like	Physical Response	Intellectual Response	What You Can Do To Help
0-1 year old	Infants between the ages of 0-12 months are particularly fond of books with pictures of babies and familiar objects. They like small sized, board or cloth books.	Books should be fairly indestructible as children this age like to explore through touch and taste. The child will sit on a lap and likes to help to turn pages.	Children this age can look at and point to pictures.	Make reading a comfortable and intimate experience by placing the child on your lap. Stop and engage your child while looking at the book together.
1-2 years old	Books with limited printed text, simple rhymes and photos are appealing to this age group.	Children this age like to carry their books around and cherish them as another toy. They can hold the book and turn pages on their own.	The child begins to identify sounds with familiar pictures (i.e., “baby”) and can point to specific pictures when asked. Children begin to memorize and recite back familiar text.	Read when your child brings a book to you and also incorporate reading into daily routines (i.e., bedtime). Ask questions relating to the story or pictures. Ask “where is…?” question.
2-3 years old	Older toddlers between the ages of 2 and 3 years enjoy silly books with funny rhymes (nursery rhymes), repetitions and rhythms. They like books devoted to their interests such as trucks or animals.	Children learn how to gently handle paper- paged books. They like to flip through books to find favorite or familiar pictures.	Children begin to memorize text and can recite stories as well as pretend to read. They are beginning to put words and pictures together.	Use books in routines (i.e., bathtime, bedtime). Extend reading activities by using paper and crayons. Ask “what is…?” question.
3-5 years old	Pre-schoolers are interested in books that tell stories. Children at this age can begin to learn from books and discover new places and things outside of their immediate world. Children at this age also like counting books and alphabet books.	Children can handle books on their own. They can turn one page at a time and are beginning to discover the specifics of the book (i.e., cover, title page, first page).	Children this age can listen to longer stories and can retell stories with which they have become familiar. They notice the alphabet and begin to recognize letters and the sounds associated with them (pre-reading skills).	Support supplemental activities such as writing and drawing related to the story. Listen to the child retell the story or create their own original version. Ask the “what’s happening…? question.

“Teacher Speak?”

Have you ever attended a parent conference and wondered what language the teacher was speaking? If so, you’re not alone. As in any profession, teachers use terms that are unfamiliar to non-educators. To help you communicate with your child’s teachers better, here are a few common terms and their definitions: More

Cleveland Reads also offers The 3Rs: Raising Real Readers, free workshops for parents. These workshops include tips on reading aloud with your child, ways to motivate reluctant readers, ideas for selecting reading materials at the appropriate level, and more! Ask your child's school to contact Cleveland Reads at (216) 436-2222 to schedule The 3Rs: Raising Real Readers workshop for parents.