You’re going to have a swell time ticking off every milestone your child crosses during their early years. That first smile, their first step, their first words, and their first day of school will all make for memorable moments.
When it comes to their education, little children will learn at their own individual pace, but you can expect them to learn in this order – speaking, and then reading and writing. Most times, children will be taught to read better at school, and their teachers will provide them with reading materials appropriate for their age; such as kids worksheets for reading comprehension. However, as a parent, you can help them develop an interest in books long before they can understand the words printed on the pages of the book.
Table of Contents
Catch them Young
Instill the love for reading from the time they are little; look at bright pictures in children books with your kids and encourage them to point at the various objects in the pictures.
Teach them to associate these pictures with objects in the real world, and practice saying the names aloud.
Create a Workable Schedule
You might have a busy work schedule that doesn’t allow you spend as much time as you wish with your children, but you should try to include at least 30 minutes of reading time into your daily schedule. It could be a part of their bedtime routine, or some other time during the day, but the important thing is that you read to your child as often as you can.
If you make reading a family activity, try to spend some one-on-one time reading with each of your kids. And if you miss a day or two of reading, don’t be discouraged. Encourage them to read on their own and pick up where you left off.
Allow them Get Familiar
Children are creatures of habit, and when they find a book they really like, they’ll often pick it to read night after night. This might get exhausting to you; reading the same story with exaggerated motions, but allowing your child to pick their favorite books is an avenue for them to express their emotions. Be patient with them and remind them that there are many other books they can select from. In due time, they will be ready to explore more stories.
Engage with Them
The story does not end when you flip over the last pages of the book; it’s a good idea to discuss with your child what they have just read. Ask them what they like best about the book; their favorite characters, the characters they do not like, their favorite moment from the story. If they are not too eager to take about the story, give them time. Perhaps a second or third reading will open them up to think about the story.
Stay Patient
It can be easy to lose your patience with children; especially when they demand for a line to be read over and over again, or they ask you to dramatize what is happening in the book as you read the story. It will help if you can think back to when you were their age and just discovering the joys of reading. Point your finger at the words as you read, and go from the left side of the book to the right side.
Remember that your child looking at all the letters and words on a page is much like you attempting to interpret another language you are completely unfamiliar with. But with your patience and constant practice from child-friendly websites like KidsAcademy, they will soon get the hang of reading.