PREPARING YOUR CHILD TO READ
Your Child does not have to have mastered his ABC’s to begin getting him ready to read. You can help your child start developing the skills they need to be ready to read long before they reach kindergarten. Here are some tips which you can use to help your child progress.
• Sign up for a story time at your public library or local bookstore. Many of these places offer skilled storytellers who bring books to life using puppets, songs, and crafts. (You can also pick up a few tips for your read aloud sessions with your child).
• Point out words everywhere. Young children are starting to connect words with pictures and concepts- a process that helps them understand everyday happenings. Make the most of this stage by reading the names of products on labels, explaining what the words on traffic signs mean, and reading recipes together when you make a meal.
• Get into it. Use different voices for different characters when reading a story aloud. Your child will pay closer attention to you when using varying tones while reading.
• Establish a reading schedule. Children thrive on consistency and predictability, which is why a daily story ritual is so popular.
• Follow the child’s lead. Let your child choose the books they want you to read. You are helping them build a sense of independence and confidence.
• Make the story interactive. You read one page and ask the child to describe what is happening on the following page.
• Repeat, repeat, repeat. Children are developing sharper ears for language. Yes, sometimes it can be boring to read the same story over and over but it’s through repetition that your child will eventually memorize their favorite parts. This is an encouraging sign of increasing reading readiness.
• Have books available in an easily assessable place for your child to look at.
For example: a low bookcase in their bedroom with a soft beanbag chair next to it.
Often you will see children pick up a book and ‘read’ it by simply explaining the pictures. It’s important to understand that children must be interested in reading before they will put forth the effort to learn how to do it. Therefore, having a variety of books available will serve as a motivation to read.
When you read to your child start at the beginning and demonstrate how you turn each page in succession. You may also occasionally point to the words on the page. Books, songs and activities that have rhyming words often help children differentiate sounds.
Instilling the love for books and reading is so important for teaching your child skill they will need as they grow and develop.