10 tips for teaching kids to read
You’ll never regret developing a love of books in your kids.
Reading is an essential part in your child’s development. By spending time together looking at, reading and talking about books, you will help create a lifelong love of reading.
Books and stories allow kids to use and expand their imagination, explore other times and places, and learn about different people around the world.
The rhythmic sound of stories like those of Hairy Maclary and Dr Seuss helps toddlers learn about words, sounds and language formation. Storytime is also a lovely way to settle down from the day.
Scroll down to read 10 tips for teaching kids to read…
10 ways to help kids learn to read
1. Read to your child
Read to them – a lot – from when they are young babies. It is a special bonding time, can become part of the bedtime routine, and also instills a love of books from a very young age. It doesn’t matter if you read the same books over and over, or read something new every day, but try and spend at least 20 minutes a day reading together.
2. Talk about the story as you read
Point to the pictures, and ask toddlers and children what the picture shows and where the story might be heading. Encouraging interaction with the book also helps develop vocabulary and understanding of the meaning of the story.
3. Read yourself
Kids model everything you do, so make sure they see you reading books, not just watching tv or texting. Talk to them about the book you are reading, what it’s about, whether you are enjoying it and why.
4. Encourage an interest in letters
Have alphabet posters around the house so they see them every day. Take some time to explain the noise each letter makes. Sing an alphabet song together so they learn the letters.
5. Make books accessible
Have plenty of books around the house that children can easily reach. Encourage older siblings to read with and in front of younger children.
6. Join your local library
Make it a part of your weekly routine to visit your local library. Show children this is a useful resource and place that is fun to go to.
7. Focus on the sounds
Help children sound out parts of the word rather than the whole word so they can learn how the word is made up. Talk about words that rhyme or sound alike. Word games can also be fun. Miss B’s Not-So-Tricky Word Cards is a cute set of 100 words that you can use along with an app to help with things like sounding out.
8. Help them read to you
As children learn to read and get more confident, encourage them to read to you. Don’t be too quick to correct pronunciation – wait for them to try first or to ask for help.
9. Chat to their teachers
Talk to your child’s teacher about the methods they use for learning to reading in class so you can replicate them at home.
10. Enjoy it!
Sharing a love of reading is a wonderful gift you can give to your child.
10 great books to share with your kids
‘That’s Not My Fairy’ and ‘Pug The Pig’ are great picture books for little book lovers. Booktopia is a great place to check out some of the best kids’ books that you’ll all enjoy, like these ones:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Written by Eric Carle
- That’s Not My Fairy – by Usborne Children’s Books
- Where Is The Green Sheep – Written by Mem Fox
- The Cat In The Hat – Written by Dr Suess
- Scarlet Scarlet – Written by Emma Quay
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Written by Beatrix Potter
- Ten Little Fingers & Ten Little Toes – Written by Mem Fox
- Pug the Pig – Written by Aaron Blabey
- Where’s Spot? – Written by Eric Hall
- The Gruffalo – Written by Julia Donaldson
