One of the most important things you can do for your preschooler is to read to her. Making reading a daily part of your preschooler's life emphasizes the importance of reading. In addition, when children are exposed to reading early and often, they are more likely to realize that reading is fun. When you begin reading with your child at an early age, she will associate reading with comfort and peace, which will make her more likely to continue reading for pleasure later in life, according to Fred Hechinger of "The New York Times."
Provide books and other reading materials such as magazines, comic books and newspapers. Children need access to books and reading materials to read on their own. In addition, keep your own books at home. One study published in the journal "Research in Social Stratification and Mobility" concluded that a child who grows up in a home with 500 books or more will complete 3.2 more years of education and is 19 percent more likely to finish college, even when the numbers were adjusted for the parents' socioeconomic status and level of education.
If your child is a reluctant reader, offer small incentives for each age-appropriate book she reads. Many school districts offer incentives such as parties or small prizes for children who complete their reading goals, and you can do the same thing at home. The incentive could be a small amount of money, additional time doing something she enjoys or the opportunity to participate in an educational outing with you. Over time, your child will discover the kinds of books that she enjoys and she will no longer require incentives to read on her own.
Encourage your child to satisfy his curiosity by researching topics that interest him. The next time your child asks a question such as "How far away is the moon?" take him to the library to find the answer. Even if your child is resistant to reading, he is probably willing to read if the topic is something he enjoys such as dinosaurs, outer space or dogs. If your child learns to connect reading with the reward of learning about something he enjoys, he will be more likely to read.