1. Read with your child
You can't start too early. You can't read too much. Reading to young children nurtures an interest in language, words and communication. For older kids, reading together can be fun and interesting. Consider reading one book together every month aloud. Take turns reading pages, chapters or major sections of the book. As this activity becomes a routine, it will not only help develop your child's reading skills, but will also create a basis for ongoing dialogue and discussion.

2. Encourage your child to build his or her own library
From stamps, comic books, autographs, baseball cards, and stuffed animals, children have always been natural collectors. By encouraging book collecting and the creation of a personal library, you introduce your child to a world of resources. Help your child start his or her own library by including a visit to a local bookstore in your weekly or monthly shopping outings.

3. Search for reading activities on the Internet
There are an abundance of sites that provide summer reading lists for children. On-line reading games, such as Sylvan's Book Adventure, located at bookadventure.com are also fun reading activities for children.

4. Provide different kinds of general interest magazines for your child
Children need to understand that there is more to a news event than the 30- second sound bite they hear on the five o'clock news. Introduce your child to weekly and monthly general interest magazines, like Time or Newsweek. These publications explore news events in much greater detail through words and vivid photographs. Read an article together, and help your child with difficult words or with abstract concepts.

5. Visit a local library and introduce your child to the children's libarian
Almost every library has at least one librarian who is very knowledgeable about children's literature. He or she can suggest book titles, guide your child through research projects and keep you informed regarding any special reading events.

6. Visit a museum
Many museums offer interactive exhibits for children and adolescents and have extensive educational programs which can provide your child with amazing opportunities to learn new things. Plan a trip to the museum and encourage your child to write down new words he or she has learned or been introduced to. Also be sure to visit the museum's retail store to find children focused books on exhibitions or major collections.

7. Get a riddle book at the library or bookstore
Children enjoy riddles and jokes that rely on wordplay. Laughing together at clever jokes and riddles can make a Saturday trip to a soccer or softball game more enjoyable and memorable.

8. Create a vocabulary
Compile a word list, or ask your child's teacher for a word list, and make a daily or weekly vocabulary game on 3" x 5" index cards. Whether your child is just learning how to read or is preparing for the college entrance exams, seeing, saying and learning new words is important.

9. Make word flash cards
Use your child's school reading series, or work with him or her to produce a list of 100 words. Be sure the words represent a range of difficulty, and arrange them so that you always begin with the easiest words.

10. Learning new words on the road
Use the cards to work with your child on pronunciation and definition. Use every new experience to introduce new words to your child. Every journey, trip or vacation, regardless of distance, introduces new ideas and objects your child can use to enlarge his or her vocabulary