How to Help My Kindergartener Learn to Read
Parents can help kindergarteners learn to read while spending valuable time together. Children learn to read in stages, from making sounds, to identifying the letters of the alphabet and then to reading short sentences. The earlier a parent begins to read to a child, the sooner the child will begin to read on his own. Good reading skills are essential to success in other academic areas. Help your kindergartener learn to read by setting a good example and involving him in reading.
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Instructions
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Talk to your kindergartener often and ask questions that encourage him to talk. Actively listen and ask follow-up questions, and explain what you are doing throughout the day. The spoken language is the basis for reading. Tell stories, ask questions, sing songs and play word games to help your kindergartener develop an appreciation of language and words. Talking to your child and playing word games will also help develop vocabulary.
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Use flash cards to teach the sounds of the letters of the alphabet. Create inexpensive flash cards using squares of paper and a marker. Start teaching the sounds of the letters using all lower case letters and switch to upper case when your child can recognize lower case letters.
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Make reading enjoyable for your kindergartener. Read books to your child often and use expressive tone and gestures to enhance the reading experience. Use your voice to relay emotion and meaning to your child. Expect your kindergartener to request that you read the same story over and over. Children enjoy repetitious activities, and stories that repeat certain parts are especially good learning tools. Point at each word as you read it to your kindergartener. Pointing to the word and then reading the word will help the kindergartener establish a visual image of the sound of the word.
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Be consistent and read with your kindergartener every day. Make reading an activity that you and your child look forward to every day. Read with your kindergartener more than once each day, if possible. Continue to read with your child even after she has learned to read on her own. Take advantage of trips to the market or playground to read road signs and billboards.
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Set an example for your child by reading for your own enjoyment. Your kindergartener desires to emulate your example. Set aside a section on a book shelf specifically for your kindergartener's personal book collection.
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Let your child read to you. Actively listen to your child read and show interest in the book he is reading to you. Ask questions at appropriate times to help your kindergartener develop reading comprehension skills. Avoid correcting or helping your child pronounce new words before he has a chance to sound them out.
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Show that you value your child's efforts by praising her often. Be patient with your kindergartener, because each child learns differently and at her own rate. Find what works best for your child, and foster your child's reading strengths.
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Tips & Warnings
Be patient and consistent.
Always encourage your kindergartener and compliment her efforts.
Do not scold or punish a reluctant reader, but rather show positive reinforcement and encouragement.
Avoid rewards like candy or toys for reading efforts. Help your child develop a love of reading without expecting a treat.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit kindergarten boy image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com
