How to Improve a Child's Reading Skills

Many parents say reading has become a lost art. Kids are so focused on television and video games these days that reading for fun has fallen by the wayside. However, keeping your children well read can help further their education and their future. It simply requires active involvement on behalf of parents and family members. You can help your child not only stay interested in reading but also excel at their reading skills.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Ask them to read to you. Many times, children will choose their favorite book and sit down with a parent to read. If they can't pronounce the word, simply be patient and help them sound it out. Let them pick out the book, even if you've read it so many times before.
2. Encourage your child to incorporate new words into their vocabulary. This doesn't mean you should expect your five year old to start using big words like "exponential" in their daily discussions. Simply praise your child when they use a new word or teach them a word from a billboard or magazine that they don't know yet.
3. Make reading a part of each day, whether it is at bedtime or after dinner. The more a child reads outside of school, the more they can recognize that reading isn't only for educational purposes. Choose stories that they pick out or you would think they'll enjoy to keep their interest when it's story time.
4. Participate in story time by reading along with your kids. After a certain point, or after you've read the story many times, your children will probably want to read on their own. Encourage them patiently when you read together. This will help them become more confident in their reading skills.
5. Take a bag of books, workbooks and activity books with you when you leave the house with your children. Whether it is a road trip or an appointment, pull a book from your bag instead of plopping your kids in front of the waiting room television or a portable video game. Bring a few of their favorites and surprise them with a new book. It will keep them excited and guessing about what they'll be reading next.
6. Keep books handy. If you have a collection of books around the house or in your child's room, it makes it so much easier to pick one up and read. Some great places to keep them handy are the diaper bag, bedroom, car and in their toy bin.