My 5-year-old learned how to read! It’s the kind of thing parents love to share and celebrate!
My child struggles with reading and does not want to read at all! – is the other extreme that parents often know to share.
How to act correctly, when is the right time, what are the ways, and what approach should be taken to this issue? All these dilemmas are normal.
Learning to read is super important for kids because it helps them do awesome things in school and life. So, when kids get good at reading, it makes school super exciting, and it sets them up for a super cool future!
But all parents should know that children are not required to know how to read before starting school.
We all want our little ones to learn a new skill but don’t pressure them into reading. Remember, in order to teach kids to read, the process should be fun and entertaining for them.
Reading Should be Fun
The key to learning to read is making it fun. When reading is fun, it becomes more than a skill – it becomes a love for words. Because reading can be a bit complex, the best way to do it is by having a good time with it.
So parents, remember: make the whole process enjoyable for both the child and you.
Have fun, laugh, and make intentional mistakes in the pronunciation of some words while reading, so your child will be able to correct them and, as we said above, enjoy.
Benefits of Reading
The benefits of reading are numerous, right? I mean we all as parents are bursting with excitement when our little one spits out a word! But seriously, these benefits are like little treasures. Here are some of them:
- It helps in the development of the child’s brain
- Helps them improve their learning ability as they get older
- Children who can read proficiently often do well in life
- Children who will grow up and want to read a lot will have a rich vocabulary and will express themselves easily
- Their language skills allow them to be more fulfilled as a person
- Reading is fun and can be their hobby
Problems with Reading
Learning to read can be a bit tricky sometimes. Some kids catch on quickly, while others might need a little more time and support.
If your child is finding it tough, don’t stress, it’s totally okay, and there are people who can help. Every child is special and learns in their own unique way. If your little one is struggling with reading, reaching out to experts for assistance is a great idea.
Reading challenges can happen for different reasons, but the good news is, that with the right help from professionals, all these challenges can be overcome. That way, every child can enjoy the magic of fairy tales, songs, and stories!
Parents want their kids to learn, so they must help a lot. They must be patient, use a lot of energy, and keep things consistent. After all, it is a new skill for the child, no matter how straightforward it seems to you.
Kids, on the other hand, should know you believe in them, get support, and have a good time and place to learn.
But most importantly, we must remember that each child is unique and requires an individual approach.
How to Teach Kids to Read?
There isn’t a straightforward answer to how your child will learn to read easiest, but there are various ways they’ll develop this skill, which goes through several stages:
The initial stage is the listening and speaking phase, where the child primarily concentrates on listening and picking up language from their surroundings. This creates predispositions for a rich vocabulary.
In the next stage, the child starts recognizing and identifying specific letters and sounds, and understanding how they connect.
In the last stage, the child links sounds with letters and combines them to form words. In this way, children already begin to connect words and understand the meaning of the sentence.
Exercises and Activities
But there is certainly something you can do to speed up the learning process, right? – Well of course. You can always practice and do some reading exercises that will help children get a gasp of their new ability quicker.
Here are some suggestions for exercises and activities that will allow you as parents and your child to enjoy the process of learning this skill:
- Read aloud: reading poems or stories while using appropriate expressions for heroes as well as different voices, your child will be interested and slowly understand the parts of the text.
- Syllables: At the beginning, the child will read letter by letter, then syllable by syllable, or connect two syllables, until he reads a whole word.
- Use of modern technology: Today, using games and apps is a great way to help kids learn to read.
- Using cards with letters: by combining certain cards, the child can compose words that can be funny at first, then gradually go to more serious ones.
- Discuss the stories and ask questions
Discuss the words and points of interest. That way you will encourage your child to pay more attention to the story and build listening skills. - Ask questions
When you read to your child, make it interactive. One way to do this is by asking questions. Try things like, “Can you spot a word with an ‘e’?” or “Did you catch the ‘a’ in the dog’s name?” You can even ask, “What if the dog had your name—how would we spell it?” Make a game with questions.
The Engagement of Parents is Truly Priceless
Most importantly, both you and the child must enjoy this journey! The child doesn’t need extra pressure. And try not to compare your children with others. As we mentioned before each child is unique and requires a different approach.
One of the most beautiful things in life is watching your child acquire new knowledge and progress every day. This feeling is worth dedicating your time to, as it contributes to enhancing your child’s prospects for greater success in life.
Every letter, every word, and every sentence your child learns is a win for both of you! So, put in the time, and the payoff is that heartwarming smile after every beautifully written word. And when the time is right, take your child to a bookstore.
Let them soak in the smell of books, explore the rainbow of colors, and admire the beautiful designs. It’s a magical experience!
ALSO READ: Things Kids Need to Know Before Kindergarten (Parent Guide)
