How to Teach Your Child To Read

If you want your child to read, read to your child. Children learn from example. If they see that you enjoy reading, they will want to read. Children that our read to, are generally better readers themselves.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A quiet place to read
• A library card or become a member of a book club
• 20 minutes a day

1. 
   Read with your child

   Find a quiet place in your home, or you can go to the library, if you like. It's best if you choose a specific time to read with your child each day. This way your little reader will look forward to reading at the predetermined designated reading hour. Children love routine! Plus, you will have that much needed quality time together.

2. 
   Dr. Seuss books are great for beginner readers

   Start off with simple rhyming books, by Dr. Seuss. The catchy rhythm of the words will capture young readers attention. Eventually they will begin to recite the book by memory.

3. 

   Before or after you read each page, discuss with pictures that they see. Ask open-ended questions like, "What do you think is going to happen next?". This will ensure that your child stays interested in the story.

4. 
   Teach them to identify words.

   Underline the words with your finger as you read them. Your child will eventually connect your spoken word to the words written in the book. Soon she will begin to identify certain words and phrases.

5. 
   Encourage them to read.

   Once your child is reading a few words, you will want to begin teaching them to read sentences. The more that you encourage them, the more desire they will have to succeed.

6. 
   Helping your child learn to read

   Try to master a book before you move to the next one. When you move along to new book, display the old book on a low shelf, that is easy accessible to them. It will serve as a trophy, a symbol of accomplishment. This will give them a sense of pride. Soon, their library of books will grow, along with their self esteem and tremendous knowledge.

7. 
   Reading independently

   Once they can successfully read the "beginner readers" books, they can graduate to the next level of reading and learning.

Tips & Warnings

• Educators agree that just 20 minutes a day is all you need to achieve success in reading.
• Encourage your child always to help them reach their goals.
• Patience is the key.
• Do not get frustrated with your child, this will only discourage them.
• Don't move faster than you child is able. Let your child set the pace.
• No child is the same. Guidelines are to serve as maps, not rules.

[Jennywrites]

on 12/20/2008 Great advice! I love the "Bob" books for beginners.. I'm going to work on it with my 4 year old after the New Year. I'm going to use some of your helpful tips!

[Sounique]

on 12/7/2008 Great advice. Thank you for sharing!

[TeacherKelly]

on 12/5/2008 Good advice, ALL children benefit from being read to! However if your child experiences delays in spite of traditional teaching methods and curriculums, Consider having him/her evaluated for a learning disablity in the area of reading or dyslexia. Make sure that the reading program being utilized is a research-based one that addresses all of the reading areas recommended by the National Reading Panel (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension).