CHILD'S READING MODELS PARENTS.

Byline: Laura Flores Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire

Relatives, day-care workers and many others can foster a child's interest and proficiency in reading. But not nearly as much as parents, experts say.

A child mimics parents' behavior from infancy, so a parent reading to child and reading in front of a child is the single most powerful motivator, said Sharon Darling, president and founder of of the National Center for Family Literacy. The nonprofit agency based in Louisville, Ky., has helped develop and find funding for programs such as Long Beach's Family Literacy Program.

``Sitting close or curling up to read together creates a bond that's important to nurturing and social development,'' said Darling. ``It plays on the emotions and brings in the dynamic of the family and culture.''

A parent can start instilling a love of words and books from birth with lullabies and picture books, say educators

And parents who aren't fluent in English can read, talk and tell stories in their native tongue without concern.

``The repetition and rhythm of words is important,'' says Darling. ``The child is still making the same connections that reading and books are important.''

Parents who can't read or don't have written materials can tell stories, say educators. Oral history and storytelling communicate rich experiences, culture and family history that also lead to literacy because they convey the idea that stories are important.