Reading skill is one of the best determiners for school success, and yet, many children read poorly or simply do not seem to enjoy reading. How can parents help reluctant readers enjoy reading more? Here are some parent-tested tips for helping your child develop a love for reading.

· Don't nag. The very best way to make a child NOT want to do something is to nag. So abandon all those subtle, and not so subtle suggestions that your child go read a book instead of playing Nintendo, watching TV or following you around singing the "I'm bored" song. Relax…pressure just turns reluctance into stubborn resistance.
· Be a book lover. Why should a child think reading is fun if neither mom nor dad ever picks up a book? Is your home rich in reading material or are all the books relegated to your child's room? Let your child "catch" you reading for pleasure or squeezing book time into your busy day and he will begin to get the idea that reading can be fun.

· Read to your kids and with your kids. Let your kids read aloud to you while you do simple chores. Many children will be willing to read just for the extra "together time" with mom or dad.

· Make reading part of bedtime. Many parents allow kids to stay up past bedtime as long as they are reading.
· Make buying books into an event. Let your child choose what he wants to read and go to bookstores that have a pleasant atmosphere and knowledgeable staff - independent book stores are often excellent for this. After book buying, consider stopping off for a treat and a chance to discuss the chosen books, thus building excitement for reading them.

· Enlarge your definition of reading. Your child may prefer not to read the classics, but would be happy to read non-fiction, especially about topics or celebrities that interest him. Even comic books can increase a child's enjoyment for reading. You might also try clipping articles of interest from the newspaper or magazine - a clipping seems far less intimidating than a whole book.

· Consider some of the "picture book" nonfiction for older readers. Reading the caption paragraphs seems far less like work than tackling huge blocks of text. Also try books with semi-independent chapters so that your child isn't likely to lose interest if they put the book down for a while.

· Encourage your child to give books a chance. One parent gave her daughter a prize if she would read a "quality" book. However, if a child reads a chapter or two of a particular book and discovers he really doesn't like it, respect his tastes. We don't all like every book.

· Encourage reading as part of a vacation or day trip. Your child can read pamphlets on the destination, and plan the route on a map. After the outing, books about the things he saw will probably have more appeal.

· With a group of kids, consider helping the children create a role-playing game based on a favorite book or series. Creating a role-playing game requires writing and research, math skills and good verbal skills - all developed in a fun and exciting atmosphere.

· Try a project where your child writes his own illustrated book. Not only is this a fun introduction to reading and writing, but also the books make great gifts for friends and relatives.
Get your child a read