My daughter and I love to do the finger play for "5 Little Monkeys". It helps her with rhythm and rhyming. It goes like this: 5 Little Monkeys jumping on the bed. (bounce 5 fingers on the palm of the other hand) One fell off and bumped his head. (touch head) Mam called the doctor, and the doctor said, (pretent to talk on the phone) "That's what you get for jumping on the bed!" (shake finger) 4 little monkeys...(and so on with motions). 3 little monkeys...(and so on with motions). 2 little monkeys...(and so on with motions). 1 little monkey jumping on the bed. (motions) he fell off and bumped his head. Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Submitted by: Dawn S., Peoria, IL

My daughter and I read the newspaper together every morning. We play this game. She takes the front page and a red pen and underlines every word she thinks she knows. When she finishes, she hands it to me and I say, 'OK Sydney, what's this word?' We go through each one. Right now, she's raking in about $1.35 a day! She's doing very well!

Submitted by: Patricia K., Orlando, FL

Set aside a time to read every day with your child. Record the number of pages read and the date in a Reading Journal. Reward your child for reading a number of pages or books read.

Submitted by: Mary M., Bellville, OH

To encourage reading, after a book is completed, buy or check out from the library a new book for the child.

Submitted by: Kimberly L., St. Augustine, FL

Visit the library once each week.

Submitted by: Kim H., Jacksonville, FL

For students who are reluctant reader, provide books on tape. This will give them a good model for fluent reading with expression and be very motivational.

Submitted by: Suzanne T., St. Louisville, OH