Things You'll Need:
- books
- writing materials
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Step 1
To help your child succeed at reading, you can help teach them the basics before they start school. Create an early interest in books by reading to your child every day. Teach them the alphabet and the sounds of the letters when they are about four years old. Show them how to print the letters and write their name. Make reading a priority by spending time reading together.
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Step 2
Since most schools still use the sight reading method initially, students can miss the basics. They do not learn how to decode new words. Use phonics based materials to teach all of the basic sounds of the letters and spelling simple words and syllables. Some phonetic books include Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons By Engelmann, Haddox and Bruner (the Distar method) for the basics. Dr. Seuss books like Green Eggs and Ham and Cat in the Hat are excellent. Bob Books (sets 1-5) By Bobby Lynn Maslen also use phonics.
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Step 3
Once they begin to read, listen to your child read aloud to you every day. Encourage their efforts with praise. If they make a mistake, correct it. Oral reading reinforces the patterns of the sounds and the letters. Reading is best learned by daily practice of sounds, sight and writing skills.
