Reading and imagination can take a child to newfound places, places that are out-of-this-world. The ability to read, and to read adequately, not only helps a child progress in school, it also broadens their horizons and teaches them to think outside the box. It enables them to want more and demand more from themselves as they grow and experience life and is perhaps the most powerful tool one can have.
Have you noticed how some children seem to care less about reading? I was that child many years ago. During my elementary school years, a program called ‘Writing to Read” was created. It taught children to write words the way they sounded; to simply sound them out. We all know that many words can’t be sounded out. These particular words are now called sight words – we must know them by sight because some of their letters defy the sounds we were taught. Needless to say, this program was shortly retracted, but not after it had done its damage in our impressionable years of learning. Many people from my elementary generation still struggle because of this, including myself.
As a parent, and with the help of a great school system, I now recognize important factors that contribute to reading properly and adequately. Here are seven easy steps that will help you encourage and help your child read better and perhaps obtain a newfound love for books. Who knows, it may change your thoughts on reading, too.
1. Read with your child and encourage them to read aloud to you.
2. Make sure your child understands and comprehends correct letter sounds.
3. Ask you child questions about what they just read and ask them to question you as well.
4. Be expressive. Put enthusiasm and excitement in your reading and encourage the same from them.
5. Let your child see you reading. If your child sees that it is interesting to you, it may rub-off on them.
6. Encourage “unusual” people to read to your child. It is common for mom to read the bedtime stories but what about dad? Ask dad, grandpa, older sibling, etc., to read to your child. “If they can do it, so can I.”
7. Make a routine of it. Give small rewards, like stickers, for reading ten minutes a day; Make it fun and rewarding. Even if reading starts out as a game, nine times out of 10 your child will acquire a love for reading and you won’t even have to ask.