Which will your child learn first: to read or to write? Most children develop these skills at the same time. The following are some things you can do to help your children become readers and writers:

Read aloud every day.

• Set aside a regular time for reading that your children can count on.
• Find other times to read; for example, when you're waiting at the doctor's office.
• Read aloud the items you use in daily life: food labels, directions for baking a cake, and birthday cards.
• Listen to your child pretend to read a book from memory.

Have plenty of children's books around your home.

• Keep books where children can reach them.
• Go to the library regularly.
• Look for secondhand books at yard sales and thrift shops.
• Encourage family and friends to give books as gifts.

Stock up on writing and drawing supplies.

• Store things to write on: paper, pads, and a chalkboard.
• Store things to write with: crayons, markers, pencils, and chalk.
• Store supplies for making books: cardboard, a stapler, a hole punch, and laces.
• Save items to cut and paste: junk mail, catalogs, coupons, and old magazines.
• Keep magnet letters on the refrigerator.
• Store alphabet stamps and a stamp pad.

Let your children see you read and write.

• Read aloud a favorite poem.
• Read the caption under an interesting photograph in a newspaper or magazine.
• Read aloud the words on food packages, menus, signs, and billboards.
• Write important dates on the calendar.
• Ask your child to help you make up a shopping list or write a letter.

Source: Reading Is Fundamental.