Being able to read and to read well is one of the single most important gifts you can give a child.  I was fortunate to grow up in a home with lots of books and parents who read to me each night before going to bed.  One memory I have of my mom is when she read Briar Rabbit to me for the first time.  I still (over 40 years later) can remember all the nutty voices she pulled out of her throat as she read that silly story to me.  Oh how I laughed and laughed.  I also remember my father giving me his own set of Bobbsey Twins books and telling me I was ready for books that didn't have pictures on every page.  That was a big deal for me to have him give me those books.  And, yes, I still have those books, and am thrilled that my own children were able to enjoy them as well.  My favorite activity to do with my own children is to read with them.  I've read to them since birth, we read every night.  Now that they are getting older they still love for me to read aloud to them.  Now we read the classics and longer chapter books together each night.  And did I mention they are great readers?  They love to read and they have fantastic comprehension skills.  Following are proven literacy tips to help you guide the children in your life to become great readers too.