Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once said, "There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." Through books, your child can travel to magical lands, meet courageous heroes, learn about the past and imagine the future. Being involved in your child’s reading education also sets her up for better test scores, school attendance and self-esteem. Follow simple teaching techniques that rely on your patience and gentle guidance to make reading an interactive and exciting adventure.
Book Variety
Offer your child a variety of books to read. Pick books that match your child’s interest and books that introduce new subjects. For reading aloud, select books with large print your child can see as you hold up the book. Include easier books your child can read on her own, without help. Read books that rhyme and have repeating lines. The rhyming and repetition will help your child memorize these words and recognize them outside of the book. When your child first learns to read, choose books with big pictures. As she progresses, read longer books with smaller pictures.
Reading Aloud
Encourage your child to read aloud so she can hear the words and better recognize mistakes. With your child, take turns reading aloud books that are just above her reading level. Point out the words as you read them in different character voices. When it’s your child’s turn, be patient and let your child try to sound out new and difficult words. If she asks for help, sound out the word with her, but don’t interrupt her reading to correct mistakes. When it’s your turn to read, ask questions about the story line and discuss the meaning of new words.
Beyond Books
From stop signs to TV guides, parents read all day long without really thinking about it. Take these opportunities to show your child the world is full of words to read. Point out letters on license plates, read the names of stores you enter, read the comics in the newspaper and have your child help you cook by reading recipes. When you go out to eat, help your child read her own menu. By reading aloud throughout the day, you set an example for your child. You also show how many things you learn when you know how to read.
Problem Solving
Reading is not about memorizing words; it’s about comprehension. The story always needs to make sense. Sounding out helps when a child becomes stuck on a word, but sometimes your child won’t sound out the word correctly. Skipping ahead is a good solution. Have your child read the rest of the sentence and then try to guess what that new word is, based on what word completes the sentence and starts with the same letter as that difficult word. Give your child a child’s dictionary so she can look up the meaning of new words. A picture dictionary may encourage your child to use the dictionary more often to see the images.
References
- Reading Rockets: Quotable Reading Quotes
- Michigan Department of Education; What Research Says About Parent Involvement in Children's Education in Relation to Academic Achievement; March 2002
- U.S. Department of Education; Reading Tips for Parents; May 2003
- Ontario Ministry of Education: Helping Your Child Learn to Read -- A Parent's Guide
- Panhandle Area Educational Consortium; Reading: Strategies for Parents; Februrary 1998
- KidsHealth: School-Age Readers
