“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” — Emilie Buchwald.
I believe that the reading trait can be imbibed when you start reading to them when they are in womb. The baby has the ability to listen and this makes it easier when they are out.
Learning through seeing is a great way to grasp. Seeing parents read could intrigue the child to pick up book. But that does not stop you from sitting down with them and reading a book. I have a detailed blog post on what to read to your kids. You can check that out here.
Check here : books to read to your kid.
Once you start reading out to them often, they would begin to gain interest. First they might like to feel the hold of a page, then turning them over, look at pictures, feel them if they have textures and then start reading.
What does it take in the beginning to read? THE BASICS. By basics I mean phonics.
What is Phonics?
It is the study of sound or method on how you read. It initially is taught by grouping alphabets of similar sounds under groups. There are a lot of tools or aids available online to help teach your kids. You have books, flashcards, and worksheets available in the market to make it easier for you to teach at home. Age 4 is apt for you to start teaching them, since that is when most kids begin to read. But if you believe that your child has an above average vocabulary for that age you are good to start at 3. You can even enroll yourselves for a phonics course before teaching your kid.
Make reading time a must on the schedule
Reading daily can increase reading comprehension, vocabulary expansion, identifying similar words or sounds and familiar words. If your child is still not started reading I would urge you to have story telling in place of them reading. Listening regularly could help in gaining familiarity of words and help them use it in appropriate situations. Once they start reading, they could read out to you. Trust me this is such a joy of having your kid read out to you.
Reading out regularly
Do you believe that if you surround yourself with specific things you have the curiosity or the urge to go see and check out what it is? That is exactly what needs to be done. Surround the kids with books and aids that will intrigue them to
go pick up. Keep a wide variety so that they do not get bored.
Lead them by example
When they see you reading before bedtime regularly they are sure to inculcate the habit as well. Soon after they will also pick up a book and read alongside with you. Have you seen children with mobile during bed time that is probably because they are imitating behavior.
Find the right choice of what they would like
If your child can decide, then let them pick their own book. Make suggestions here and there but do not thrust books.
Read outside apart from books
Let them read the signs on road or read out a recipe of their favorite dish that they want you to make.
Support the child, each child is different
Not all children take instant liking to reading. Some are quick, some are mediocre and some are slow. Take the time to stop, step back and see why where the child is having difficulty. Try to correct that difficulty.
Visit the local library
Take a visit to the local library. Not many people visit the libraries these days, since everything is available online. Spend time at the library with both you and your kid reading books. Who knows you might even uncover certain unknown treasures not present in the online world.
Use ruler or finger
Use a ruler or a finger to follow along. That makes reading easier, and also easy to grasp for the little one. Tell them how each word combines and forms a sentence and how does that make sense.
Review and recap
Ask your child what they finished reading and which part did they like the most. Let the child explain in their own way. You can help in correcting when they are done explaining. Note down difficult words which you can teach them later.
Take part in reading challenges
Once they grow up, you can start signing them up for reading challenges. Nowadays we have more reading challenges which do help in spreading awareness about the importance of reading and also let them explore the world of books and joy of reading.
I hope the above helps in making your children read.
This article is written as a part of #Thebookblogtrain conducted by Vidhya Thakkar and Siddhi Palande powered by Penguin India and Redwolf should not be repurposed, republished or used otherwise. The content herein is owned by the blogger. Hosts are not responsible for any infringement caused.”
That Madras Mom 