Parents give children all the things they can. One of the best things they can give them is free — a love of reading. Start at birth. Some parents talk and read to children before birth.

Children are curious. Babies hear sounds and see things close to them. They soon let everyone know what they want. This is the time to start your children on the road to reading. Holding them in your arms while you read makes them feel loved. A good feeling for reading will grow with them.

Buy books for the bath and little hard paged books babies can hold. The bright colours and pictures catch their eyes. Talk to them about the books. Show them how things in books are like things around them. They will act out the books you read. Buy some books with tapes. Children like to follow the story that is read on the tape. It helps them enjoy reading alone.

Make it a habit to buy books as gifts. Find out from a teacher, a friend, at the bookstore, the library, or elsewhere what books are good for your child. Find some to highlight your child's interests. Even if you have a lot of books at home, you need more. Children's interests change. A book that is good for a beginning reader may not interest an eight year old.

Often children do not like reading because they see no point in doing it. Parents are role models. Turn off the TV sometimes and read newspaper. Read magazines and books. Read anytime, especially at bedtime. Talk to your children about things you read. Reading is not limited to just books. Children can learn from television, games, friends, family and others. The most important thing is encourage reading. Set the example yourself. Talk to your children about the books they read and games they play. Give them a love for reading.

Test your understanding
(Answers to questions on page 6)

1. Eleven.
2. Newfoundland and Labrador should have the same food fishery rules as other Atlantic Provinces. There might be a program where people get a certain number of tags to catch cod.
3. 1935.
4. They bring in tourists who spend money in the province.
5. 1998.
6. Own answer.