Learning to Read — Helping Your
Child Get Started
Does your child listen
closely during story time? Does your child like to look through books and
magazines? Does your child like learning the names of letters? If the answer is
"yes" to any of these questions, your child may have already learned
some important early reading skills and may be ready to learn some of the
basics of reading. Learning to read happens gradually and it's important to
support your child and foster interest along the way.
The
following are a few tips to keep in mind as your child learns to read:
- Set
aside time every day to read together. Many children like to have stories
read to them at bedtime. This is a great way to wind down after a busy day
and get ready for sleep.
- Leave
books in your child's room for her to enjoy on her own. Make sure her room
is reading-friendly with a comfortable bed or chair, bookshelf and reading
lamp.
- Read
books that your child enjoys. After a while, your child may learn the
words to her favorite book. When this happens, let your child complete the
sentences or take turns reciting the words.
- Do
not drill your child on letters, numbers, colors, shapes or words.
Instead, make a game out of it and find ways to encourage your child's
curiosity and interests.
Reading
books aloud is one of the best ways you can help your child learn to read. This
can be fun for you, too. The more excitement you show when you read a book, the
more your child will enjoy it. The most important thing to remember is to let
your child set her own pace and have fun at whatever she is doing. Do the
following when reading to your child:
- Run
your finger under the words as you read to show your child that the print
carries the story.
- Use
funny voices and animal noises. Do not be afraid to ham it up! This will
help your child get excited about the story.
- Stop
to look at the pictures; ask your child to name things she sees in the
pictures. Talk about how the pictures relate to the story.
- Invite
your child to join in whenever there is a repeated phrase in the text.
- Show
your child how events in the book are similar to events in your child's
life.
- If
your child asks a question, stop and answer it. The book may help your
child express her thoughts and solve her own problems.
- Keep
reading to your child even after she learns to read. A child can listen
and understand more difficult stories than she can read on her own.
Once
your child begins to read, have him read out loud. This can help build your
child's confidence in his ability to read and help him enjoy learning new
skills. Take turns reading with your child to model more advanced reading
skills.
If
your child asks for help with a word, give it right away so that he does not
lose the meaning of the story. Do not force your child to sound out the word.
On the other hand, if your child wants to sound out a word, do not stop him.
If
your child substitutes one word for another while reading, see if it makes
sense. If your child uses the word "dog" instead of "pup,"
for example, the meaning is the same. Do not stop the reading to correct him.
If your child uses a word that makes no sense (such as "road" for
"read"), ask him to read the sentence again because you are not sure
you understand what has just been read. Recognize your child's energy limits.
Stop each session at or before the earliest signs of fatigue or frustration.
Most
of all, make sure you give your child lots of praise!
You are your child's first and most important teacher. The praise and support
you give your child as he learns to read will help him enjoy reading and
learning even more.
The
Reach Out and
29
617/629-8042
www.reachoutandread.org
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