How to Help Your Child Learn to Read
The ability to
read is vital for success. It helps your child succeed in school, helps them
build self-confidence, and helps to motivate your child. Being able to read
will help your child learn more about the world, understand directions on signs
and posters, allow them to find reading as an entertainment, and help them
gather information.
Learning to
read is very different from learning to speak, and it does not happen all at
once. There is a steady progression in the development of reading ability over
time. The best time for children to start learning to read is at a very young
age - even before they enter pre-school. Once a child is able to speak, they
can begin developing basic reading skills. Very young children have a natural
curiosity to learn about everything, and they are naturally intrigued by the
printed texts they see, and are eager to learn about the sounds made by those
letters. You will likely notice that your young child likes to look at books
and thoroughly enjoys being read to. They will even pretend to behave like a
reader by holding books and pretend to read them.
As parents,
you're the most important first step in your children's journey into the
wonderful world of reading. It is up to you to create the most supportive
environment that turns your child on to reading - such as reading aloud to them
often during the day and before bedtime, and placing age appropriate books for
children around the house, so that the child will have access to plenty of
books. Reading often to your child will help develop their interest in books
and stories, and soon they will want to read stories on their own.
With the help
of parents, children can learn how to read. Make reading into a family
activity, and spend time playing words games and reading story books. This will
not only help you child learn to read, but it'll also help them build a rich
vocabulary, teach them language patterns, and help them fall in love with books
and reading.
Below are some
tips to help you teach your child to read.
Talk toyour child - before a child can learn to read, he or she must first
learn to speak. Talk to your child about everything and anything - whatever
interests them. Tell them stories, ask your child lots of questions, play rhyme
games, and sing songs with them.
Read toyour child consistently everyday - we're all creatures of habit, and enjoy having a daily
routine. Set time aside each day to read to your child. Read to your child
every night. Make this their "cool down" period before they go to
sleep. This not only helps your child develop an interest in books and reading,
it also help the parent bond with the child, and develop a healthy
relationship.
Helpyour child develop reading comprehension - typically, parents will take the time
to read for their children; however, many parents do not put much emphasis or
thought on whether their children understands what they've just been read to.
Instead, occasionally, make an effort to question your child on what you've
just read. For example, you read to your child:
"Jack and
Jill went up the hill..."
You pause
briefly and ask your child:
"So where
did Jack and Jill go?" Or alternatively, "Who went up the hill?"
Young children
may not catch on right away initially, and it may take a little practice, but
they'll eventually catch on and begin to develop a deeper understanding of what
they are reading. This is a very important step in helping your child develop
reading comprehension. Of course, don't do this every single time you read, or
your child will quickly get bored and lose interest. Do it at random times, and
do not over do it.
- There is no shortage of
children books, and you should always have a wide variety of children books,
stories, and rhymes available. Reading is a lot of fun, for both parents and
children. Read to your child using drama and excitement, and use different
voices. Give your child the option of choosing what book they want you to read,
instead of picking the book you want to read to your child.
When reading to
your child, read slowly, and point to the words that you are reading to help
the child make a connection between the word your are saying and the word you
are reading. Always remember that reading should be a fun and enjoyable
activity for your children, and it should never feel like a "chore"
for them.
No Comment