Take a minute this week to sit down and read a book to a child.

As a parent, grandparent or even a volunteer in the community, your time can make a difference.

Reading to children fosters creative thinking, provides opportunity for language and vocabulary development, and promotes reading and learning as an enjoyable activity.

Studies show that poor reading skills may cause children to feel frustrated, not enjoy school, have behavior problems or even have low self-esteem.

Let’s set our children up for success.

Let children see you reading, and devote quality family time to doing so in the home. Turn off the TV or computer and instead dive into a good book.

Stop by the library with your children and let them pick out a few books or attend a reading program. Seeing all that the library has to offer — including storytime, puppet shows and crafts — will instill in children a love for reading.

At the same time, you will be making fond memories that your children can have for years to come.