Teaching Children How to Read

Teaching children how to read is more than just learning to sound out words and understanding basic sentence structure. Learning to read is about discovering new worlds and new friends, as well as developing an important life skill. Teaching children to read empowers them. It gives them a tool they will use forever.

Consider five ways to show your kids the importance of reading and the magic of books.

1. Start early. It’s never too early to begin reading to your child. Read to them as babies. Babies enjoy the rhythmic tones of your reading voice. Read nursery rhymes and your favorite childhood books. Toddlers love having your attention when you spend time reading together. Keep many different books available for your toddler. Board books, soft fabric books, large picture books and interactive books are a great way to begin to foster the love of reading. When reading to your toddler, point to the words as you read them. These are the first steps for him to learn how to read.

2. Read aloud. The Family Literacy Foundation suggests a child’s self-esteem can grow as he experiences “the security of having a parent or other caring person read aloud with them.” Reading aloud helps to forge a bond between parent and child, increasing communication and encouraging the exploration of ideas. Be patient with your young reader. Words will be stumbled over. Always encourage; never ridicule. Every child learns to read at her own pace.

3. Read often. The Children’s Reading Foundation recommends reading at least 20 minutes daily. Reading every day can benefit your child in many ways. It boosts listening and language skills. If 20 minutes may be too much at one time for your child, it’s OK to break it down into two 10-minute increments. Encourage your kids to read in the car instead of listening to music or playing handheld games.

4. Read everything. It may not be possible to read everything; however, it is possible to encourage your kids to read as much as they can. Kids can read sections of the newspaper. Have your budding athlete read parts of the sports section each day. Does your child like to cook? Encourage him to read cooking magazines. When you’re out, read signs and menus, and at the grocery store, encourage label reading.

5. Make it fun. Reading shouldn’t be a chore. Find books that excite your children, choosing stories to fit their interests. Get recommendations from other parents, teachers and your librarians. Book series can be a great way to keep a child’s interest in reading. When reading aloud to younger children, be careful not to fall into a monotone. Remember to use vocal inflections that reflect the story. Reading aloud can be fun for both parents and children. Sharing a silly book aloud with your child can ease stress for both you and him. Let the silliness of Dr. Seuss or other whimsical books be your de-stressor.