You've already done so much to boost your little guy's brain power. You ate foods high in omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, exposed him to mucho Mozart and enrolled him in Mandarin classes. But there's a simpler way to lay the groundwork for future academic success: Cultivate a lifetime love of reading.

Gary Kosman is the founder and CEO of American Learns, a company that has designed education and tutoring programs for students worldwide. He and colleague Grace Chiu are co-authors of Bonding While Learning, and share some tips for helping kids to develop that loving relationship with the printed word.

Lifestyle: Incorporate reading outside the home and make it a part of your daily activities. Opportunities to play word/reading games on the road, in restaurants, etc. abound. (Even recognizing corporate logos – McDonald's, Starbucks – on a road trip can be the start of something big.)

Model: Show kids your own love of reading (whatever your fancy – newspapers, magazines, the latest James Patterson). If you're not a big reader, it's never too late to start. Take trips to the library. Make a big deal when your children get books as presents. Reading is not just about "unpacking words" but making meaning. Babies can respond to illustrations and learn how to turn pages.

Same Old, Same Old: Kids like predictability. Build in a set reading time, perhaps around bedtime when you can capitalize on their desire to snuggle.

The Right Stuff: You don't want to turn a kid off by reading a book that's too challenging or too easy. Find material that is appropriate for your child.

Masters of Their Domain: Let kids choose their own books so they feel more involved. If you've got a resistant reader, try selecting a book about his favorite hobby, subject or character.

Who knows, maybe he'll be reading War and Peace by the time he's out of diapers.

For more information, visit americalearns.net.