Reading
Teaching your child to read does not have to be difficult. The best way to become a good reader is to read a lot. Read a wide variety of texts, and reread favorites. Most kids need to be taught how to decode words and how to read sight words that can't be sounded out. Many kids also need to be taught comprehension strategies. Whether you homeschool or your child goes to school, you can be an advocate or teacher for your child in order to ensure reading success.
When to Start Reading
Begin reading to your child as soon as he or she is born. Initial experiences with literacy are referred to as emergent literacy. From birth children begin to make sense of the world around them, including sounds and symbols they encounter. Research shows that children who are read to before they even start school experience greater success with reading in school! Reading to them while they are young helps foster a desire to learn to read. It increases their vocabulary and enhances their language development! Children who have rich literacy experiences develop an early understanding that oral language is different from written language and that written words have sounds. Literature exposes them to a wide variety of vocabulary and syntactic complexity.
Generally, What to Do
1. Check out books from the library or start a library for your family by purchasing new or used books. Half Price Books is a great place to purchase books. Check the link to find a store near you. http://www.hpb.com/stores/
As an added bonus, buying used books is great for the environment.
The key is to find books your child enjoys. For reading to infants and toddlers, look for books with rhythm and not too complex vocabulary or sentence structures.
Here are some of our favorite authors for beginning readers:
Giles Andrea
Bill Martin, Jr.
Audrey Wood
For older readers, select books that are personally interesting. If your child likes horses, find books about hourses. Some kids prefer fiction or nonfiction more than the other. For example, many boys enjoy reading nonfiction texts more than fiction texts. Be sure to encourage different texts than just the ones you yourself would read. Your child might have different preferenes than you have. The library is a great place to hunt for authors or types of books your child likes, since you can check them out at no cost. Then, once you know some authors or types of books your child likes, you can look to buy some.
2. Designate a special reading spot, if you like. This is not at all necessary, but some kids enjoy having a special place to sit and read, like a special chair or cushion.
3. Make predictions. Talk about the title, the cover, and some of the pictures in the book. Discuss predictions on what the book is about or what might be learned by reading the book.
4. Read, read, read! Read to your child with voice and expression. Reread books over and over, as much as your child desires. This can feel tedious for some adults, but rereading is the best strategy for developing fluency. During and after reading, discuss the predictions made before reading. Were the predictions correct? Did you change predictions during reading? Also discuss other concepts related to the books, such as what happens, favoriate characters, etc. For emergent readers, read for the fun of reading. Don't worry about using specific comprehension strategies or having your child answer questions afer reading. Just talk about books in a natural way, like good readers do.
As children begin to read on their own, don't stop reading to them. Continue to read aloud and enjoy discussing books together. However, you can also have you child read words when possible, or say the end of a well-known sentence with you. Include your child in reading the text as much as desired, but don't make the process tedious or discouraging if your child doesn't want to participate or makes mistakes. Reading is and should be fun.
When children have basic reading skills, have them read aloud to you. The child can read all the pages, or can take turns reading pages with you. When a child makes a mistake, just say, "You missed that word," and point to it. "What is that word?" If the child can say the word, start the sentence over and continue on. If the child cannot read the word and the word can be sounded out, remind the child to sound out the word. If the child cannot read the word and the word cannot be sounded out, just tell the child the word and have the child repeat the word. "That word is _________. What word?" Then reread the sentence and continue on. If your child makes a lot of mistakes and stopping at every mistake is de-motivating, read the page to the child first, and then have the child read the page to you. This way the child will make fewer mistakes and will be more successful.
Discussing books with children is a great way to foster comprehension. You can also teach your child specific comprehension strategies that can be used with any text. See the section on Reading/Reading Strategies for examples and instructions for research-based comprehension strategies.
As an added bonus, buying used books is great for the environment.
The key is to find books your child enjoys. For reading to infants and toddlers, look for books with rhythm and not too complex vocabulary or sentence structures.
Here are some of our favorite authors for beginning readers:
Giles Andrea
Bill Martin, Jr.
Audrey Wood
For older readers, select books that are personally interesting. If your child likes horses, find books about hourses. Some kids prefer fiction or nonfiction more than the other. For example, many boys enjoy reading nonfiction texts more than fiction texts. Be sure to encourage different texts than just the ones you yourself would read. Your child might have different preferenes than you have. The library is a great place to hunt for authors or types of books your child likes, since you can check them out at no cost. Then, once you know some authors or types of books your child likes, you can look to buy some.
2. Designate a special reading spot, if you like. This is not at all necessary, but some kids enjoy having a special place to sit and read, like a special chair or cushion.
3. Make predictions. Talk about the title, the cover, and some of the pictures in the book. Discuss predictions on what the book is about or what might be learned by reading the book.
4. Read, read, read! Read to your child with voice and expression. Reread books over and over, as much as your child desires. This can feel tedious for some adults, but rereading is the best strategy for developing fluency. During and after reading, discuss the predictions made before reading. Were the predictions correct? Did you change predictions during reading? Also discuss other concepts related to the books, such as what happens, favoriate characters, etc. For emergent readers, read for the fun of reading. Don't worry about using specific comprehension strategies or having your child answer questions afer reading. Just talk about books in a natural way, like good readers do.
As children begin to read on their own, don't stop reading to them. Continue to read aloud and enjoy discussing books together. However, you can also have you child read words when possible, or say the end of a well-known sentence with you. Include your child in reading the text as much as desired, but don't make the process tedious or discouraging if your child doesn't want to participate or makes mistakes. Reading is and should be fun.
When children have basic reading skills, have them read aloud to you. The child can read all the pages, or can take turns reading pages with you. When a child makes a mistake, just say, "You missed that word," and point to it. "What is that word?" If the child can say the word, start the sentence over and continue on. If the child cannot read the word and the word can be sounded out, remind the child to sound out the word. If the child cannot read the word and the word cannot be sounded out, just tell the child the word and have the child repeat the word. "That word is _________. What word?" Then reread the sentence and continue on. If your child makes a lot of mistakes and stopping at every mistake is de-motivating, read the page to the child first, and then have the child read the page to you. This way the child will make fewer mistakes and will be more successful.
Discussing books with children is a great way to foster comprehension. You can also teach your child specific comprehension strategies that can be used with any text. See the section on Reading/Reading Strategies for examples and instructions for research-based comprehension strategies.
Three H's to Developing a Successful Reader
Dr. Jill Allor from Southern Methodist University suggests three important components to reading at home that help children become good readers.
1. Habit - Develop routines and habits for reading. Reading time can be breif, but should be frequent.
2. Help - Provide help quickly. Don't make your child struggle when reading. The goal is to gradually increase the child's independence when reading. See the above section, the third paragraph for point to learn more on how to help.
3. Happy - Time spent supporting your child's reading should be pleasant. Encourage reading; don't insist. Give your child choices about books, where to read them, and when to read them. Make sure you have books that are interesting to your child. Over time, most cihldren respond well to encouragement. You can read more to them and gradually increase their participation. Remember that they want to learn to read, but it is hard to learn to read. If your child isn't receptive to encouragement, seek assistance and possibly assessment. Your most important role as a parent is to make sure your child is spending time reading every day.
1. Habit - Develop routines and habits for reading. Reading time can be breif, but should be frequent.
2. Help - Provide help quickly. Don't make your child struggle when reading. The goal is to gradually increase the child's independence when reading. See the above section, the third paragraph for point to learn more on how to help.
3. Happy - Time spent supporting your child's reading should be pleasant. Encourage reading; don't insist. Give your child choices about books, where to read them, and when to read them. Make sure you have books that are interesting to your child. Over time, most cihldren respond well to encouragement. You can read more to them and gradually increase their participation. Remember that they want to learn to read, but it is hard to learn to read. If your child isn't receptive to encouragement, seek assistance and possibly assessment. Your most important role as a parent is to make sure your child is spending time reading every day.
Learning Apps
One way to make reading fun is by using technology. If you have an iPhone (or iTouch) or iPad you can use it to help your child learn to read. Here are some recommended apps. Some of them are for either iPhone or iPad, and some of them are for both.
- Alphabet Tracing (free) - Watch the animation and then trace the letters
- Build A Word - from Word World; The child drags the correct letters to build a word, and pushes the letters together to see the word come to life
- Bob Books ($1.99-$3.99) - See the Bob Books come to life with color and a simple animation when you correctly spell a word. *I am not personally a fan of Bob Books. However, many parents use them because they are simple beginning reading books. This would be a good way to make reading the books more engaging and multisensory.
- Dora ABCs Vol 1: Letters and Sounds ($4.99) - Learn how to write letters and match pictures with the beginning sound letter
- Dora ABCs Vol 2: Rhyming Words ($4.99) - Match words that rhyme, or match words with the same beginning, middle, or ending sound
- Dora ABCs Vol 3: Ready to Read! ($4.99) - Use letters to build words
- Duck Duck Moose Reading HD ($3.99) - Learn to read with 9 different letter and word activities, including connecting letters to sounds and building simple words.
- Endless Alphabet (free) - Drag the correct letters to build a word, then watch an animation about the word.
-- Endless Reader (free, additional words cost) - Drag the letters to build a word. Then use the word in a sentence. Drag words to complete the sentence. Watch an animation.
- Scout's ABC Garden (by Leapfrog) (unknown, but probably $3-4) - Learn your letters with Scout. He will even learn and spell your name.
- Word Wagon (by Duck Duck Moose) ($2.99) - Use letter tiles to build words and earn virtual stickers.
*Disney makes several Storybook Deluxe apps that focus on their characters' stories. These are basically interactive ebooks. They are lots of fun and educational, but be careful. They are more expensive($5-$7) and they usually require a lot of memory on your device. Storybook Deluxe apps include Tangled, Finding Nemo, Wreck It Ralph, Cars 2, and more.
- Alphabet Tracing (free) - Watch the animation and then trace the letters
- Build A Word - from Word World; The child drags the correct letters to build a word, and pushes the letters together to see the word come to life
- Bob Books ($1.99-$3.99) - See the Bob Books come to life with color and a simple animation when you correctly spell a word. *I am not personally a fan of Bob Books. However, many parents use them because they are simple beginning reading books. This would be a good way to make reading the books more engaging and multisensory.
- Dora ABCs Vol 1: Letters and Sounds ($4.99) - Learn how to write letters and match pictures with the beginning sound letter
- Dora ABCs Vol 2: Rhyming Words ($4.99) - Match words that rhyme, or match words with the same beginning, middle, or ending sound
- Dora ABCs Vol 3: Ready to Read! ($4.99) - Use letters to build words
- Duck Duck Moose Reading HD ($3.99) - Learn to read with 9 different letter and word activities, including connecting letters to sounds and building simple words.
- Endless Alphabet (free) - Drag the correct letters to build a word, then watch an animation about the word.
-- Endless Reader (free, additional words cost) - Drag the letters to build a word. Then use the word in a sentence. Drag words to complete the sentence. Watch an animation.
- Scout's ABC Garden (by Leapfrog) (unknown, but probably $3-4) - Learn your letters with Scout. He will even learn and spell your name.
- Word Wagon (by Duck Duck Moose) ($2.99) - Use letter tiles to build words and earn virtual stickers.
*Disney makes several Storybook Deluxe apps that focus on their characters' stories. These are basically interactive ebooks. They are lots of fun and educational, but be careful. They are more expensive($5-$7) and they usually require a lot of memory on your device. Storybook Deluxe apps include Tangled, Finding Nemo, Wreck It Ralph, Cars 2, and more.
Specific Ideas for Beginning Readers
Find expert advice on preparing your beginning reader for school, and tips on how to know if your child needs extra help.