1-2 -3 easy step to teach your child how to read.

Encouraging your child to read does not come easily to most parents. Many are at the lost when they are faced with the large array of children's books available in the libraries and bookshops.

Here are 3 simple steps which you can introduce reading to your child.

Step 1- Read anything and everything to your child.

Reading does not have to be specifically from children's book which you have pre-selected. You can read off advertisements on billboards, sign posts or even snippets from your daily newspapers to your child. Just a few short phrases repeated over a period of time is enough to get your child interested print media.

They key factors here are consistency and providing exposure to your child.

Step 2- Read with expression and a varied tone.

Bring your story to life. Use different voices to portray different characters in the storybook. Young children are drawn to animation and sounds and will relate well to interactive story telling.

Step 3- Make reading fun and interesting

Make reading a positive and happy activity. Do not force your toddler to sit down and listen to you read the whole storybook. Mark his/her attention span. If he can only sit for 2-3 pages then limit the storytelling or reading to 10 minutes per session. If you force your child to read it will cause him to dislike the activity and may build up a disinterest in reading and learning. By making it fun and paced at your child's ability , your child will slowly develop an interest in reading.

Here are some books to start you off reading with your child

Little Red Riding Hood

Trevor the Tractor Engine

Elmer in the Snow