We all realize the importance of reading. It helps us learn, grow, and expand our horizons. For many children, reading is one of the first doorways to imagination and exploration. It is an exercise for the mind and has the ability to calm and relax while developing better cognitive skills in children. The more a child reads, the more proficient they become in all subject areas. In addition, by reading regularly and proficiently, your child will increase their attention span as well as improve their ability to concentrate. As some children are reluctant readers, parents may wonder how they can help their child unlock their full reading potential.
Here are 6 ways you can help your child develop their reading skills and ability.
Build upon a strong foundation.
It is never too early to introduce language by reading to your child. Many parents begin reading to their children even before they are born. When children become familiar with the way in which words are formed, they develop strong literacy skills. By providing strong phonological awareness aid to support your child, you will help them to unlock their potential as proficient readers.
Create a routine for reading.
By creating a regular and consistent schedule for your child to read, you will help them to get the exposure and practice they need. When reading is a regular activity, children develop better language fluency and expand their imagination as well as an understanding of the world. Once children have a routine of reading, they are much more likely to maintain this practice long-term.
Provide an array of options to choose from.
Children who have a choice in what they read are much more likely to be interested and engaged in that material. Take this opportunity to introduce your child to different genres as well as have conversations about themes and topics that may inspire them. There are many benefits of allowing children to have control over what they read. For example, many students find that not only do they complete books at a higher rate when they get to choose them, but they also enjoy it more!
Meet students at their level.
It is critical to know your child’s reading ability. If you provide them with books or reading material that is too low, they will likely be bored and lack stimulation. If the material is too high, your child may grow frustrated and
overwhelmed. Neither of those is helpful when trying to unlock your child’s reading potential. You can learn your child’s reading level by asking their school or tutoring service to provide your child with an assessment. If your child is homeschooled or you would like to assess yourself, you can try out the five-finger rule to determine your child’s level.
Discuss Books Frequently.
When children have opportunities to go beyond absorbing the text they are reading by having a conversation about it, they are better able to recall and analyze a book’s topic. This verbal processing promotes greater comprehension and retention of concepts. A regular habit of discussing books with others adds more meaning to reading and is fun for students!
Read everything.
If you look around, you will see opportunities for reading everywhere. Posters, bulletins, advertisements, and more surround us in all of our environments, including schools, grocery stores, malls, banks, and more. Encourage your child to notice, read, and analyze as much text as possible.
There are many ways to encourage your child to become a stronger and more engaged reader. As with any subject, it is important to nurture their growth by paying close attention to their specific interests, needs, and learning style and working toward accommodating those areas with unique tools and strategies, several of which are listed above. Once your child gets into the rhythm and flow of reading books they love and enjoy, they will continue to grow and develop as strong learners in all subject areas.
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