Getting a Jump on Reading in Grades 4, 5, 6

Brought to you by the National Education Association

• Provide your child with a reliable home dictionary and encyclopedia. Encourage children to look up subjects that puzzle or interest them. In school, reading lessons include library research.

• If your child is not enthusiastic about reading, choose books on subjects sure to interest her or him: books on sports, books of riddles or magic tricks, books on hobbies. Be sure they are not too difficult for your child to read.

• If she's a television rather than a reading fan, see which programs she prefers and provide suitable books on the same subjects. If westerns are her favorites, for example, she'll probably enjoy some of the fine children's books now available about the early west.

• If a young person is an avid comic book reader (ages 9, 10, and 11 are likely to be), don't make a big issue out of it. Make sure your child is also provided with other more worthwhile books that offer lively adventure in an easy-to-read format. Most children outgrow the comic book phase, if other literature is available in their homes.

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