How to Help Your Child Become a Better Reader

Reading begins at an early age and is a tool that will be necessary for your child to succeed academically and professionally. For some children, reading is easy. But for others, learning to read so that the knowledge is retained can be a struggle. Reading is a skill that your child will use for the rest of his or her life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. It is important to introduce children to books as early in life as possible, long before they are ready to read. Many stores carry soft books for babies that introduce your child to the world of books through vivid pictures. Your child will use them as a toy and as he or she grows older, you can introduce them to the pictures and words, and finally graduate to age appropriate books.
2. Build their vocabulary. It is also very important that you begin reading to your child at an early age even before they can understand what you are reading. The quicker you introduce your child to “words,” the better. Have conversations with your young child just as you would older children. Don't use "baby talk." Pronounce the words correctly. When you are in the car or shopping, introduce new words by pointing to objects and naming them.
3. Use outings as learning experiences. Take trips to the park, the zoo, and other areas that can provide a learning experience for your child. Always point out new things and add to your child's vocabulary. Watch age-appropriate television shows with your child and discuss the colors, letters, animals, and people they see. If you purchase computer games that help your child learn, don't just sit them in front of the computer to play. Participate in the game and discuss with your child the things they've learned.
4. Once your child learns to read, be sure to take the time to share the experience with them. Take turns reading to each other and discuss the events in the book. If you are reading with your child, choose books that are longer and more involved that the books that he or she reads alone. This allows him or her to see what sort of adventures lay in store as their reading advances.
5. It is very easy for children to become bored. You want to choose books that are exciting and of interest to the child. As they grow older, it is easy to choose other things, such as television, over reading. Learn what your child is interested in or likes to watch on television and buy books about that subject. If your child loves horses, find books about horse-adventure books as well as those that teach about horses. Most television characters are featured in books. It is much easier to get a child to read if the book is about something they enjoy.
6. One very important thing is to let your child see you reading. If your child sees that you enjoy books, it makes reading more interesting for them. Once you child is older, read the same books just like you would do in a book club and discuss the books with your child. Encourage people to give your child gift certificates for book stores or books as gifts.
7. Make reading a fun part of your family life. Play board games such as Scrabble and Boggle, and do crosswords and search-word puzzles. If you make learning new words and reading a part of everyday life, your child is much more likely to be a better reader.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your child see that you enjoy reading.
• Make reading fun, not a chore.
• Read with your child.
• Don't teach your child to talk "baby-talk." Teach them the actual words for things in their world.
• Don't sit your child down in front of the TV or computer. They learn more when you participate.