Helping your child to read can be challenging. There are so many distractions and let’s face it, some children just don’t want to read. But should you let it go? No. So how can you encourage your child to read without it becoming a battle?
Simple tricks and techniques can help you to encourage reading in little ways so that it doesn’t seem like such a chore.
1. Read to them, even if they can read themselves
Reading to your child helps your child to appreciate stories and that special time with you. This still applies even if your child is older and can read to themselves. Children like to hear your voice and have a story read to them.
2. Ask them to read certain words at a time
Sometimes a page is too much for a little one to read. It’s daunting and your child may block out any kind of reading. A simple trick to use is to ask them to read a word at a time when you’re reading to them. Make it into a game with funny voices and suddenly reading becomes fun. Once your child has read a word, continue with the story, then point to another word. This technique encourages your child to look at the words on the page to get ready for when it’s their turn to read a word.
3. Read when they’re not tired
If your child is too tired at bedtime to read to themselves, try a little earlier in the day, when they’ve had a little rest from school and before dinner. Or you could read more on weekends and keep the weekday reading lighter. This will help them stop thinking that reading is too hard when they’ve been at school for 6 hours or more. My little one reminds me daily that he’s been at school for 6 hours of his day.
4. Let them read something they’re interested in
A child is more likely to read something they’re interested in rather than something they think is boring. If they like comics, let them read a comic. If they like picture books, let them read picture books until they’re ready to move on themselves.
5. Incorporate reading into everyday life
Sounds a little odd doesn’t it? Well, this can simply start by asking your child to read road signs, make it fun as you’re walking down the road or driving. Move this on to writing little notes and leaving them around the house or in their lunchboxes. As they get a little older they can read the ingredients in a recipe that you’re cooking for dinner. These little interactions are fun for your child and help create a bond with you.
6. Read short stories or short facts
By keeping reading times short when your child is resistant to reading for a long time, they’re more likely to feel accomplished when they finish the book or story. There are lots of short stories which can be read in a few minutes or small picture books which are easy and enjoyable to get through. Educational books with facts that are broken down into short pieces of bite sized content can be fun to read alone or together and can be turned into a ‘Did You Know’ game.
7. Have family reading time together
Instead of just telling your child to read their book, make it family reading time and sit down together with your own books to make time for reading. Get cosy, get their favourite blanket and toys and get settled in. It’s surprising how easy it is for your child to get involved too when someone else is doing the same thing.
What other tips and tricks have you used to encourage your child to read?
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