Make it fun, fun, fun!
A good rule of thumb, if a child is unable to read five or more words on a page of a book it is fair to assume that it is too difficult for them. There is nothing more disheartening than giving a child a book to read that they struggle with. They will spend all their time trying to read the words and not enjoying the actual story.
The following are some suggestions that parents may find useful to try to encourage their child to read:
1. Reading to a child – this improves listening skills, broadens interest in books and improves vocabulary.
2. Shared reading - the adult reads and the child joins in - is very useful. Encourage your child to join in by :
* Discussing the books content with him
* Discussing the pictures and asking him to describe what is happening or might happen
* Running your finger along the line of print as you read
* Suggest your child joins in by reading some words
* Asking your child to retell the story in his own words.
3. Supported reading - this approach encourages the child to read to the adult and can gauge whether the child is able to read most of a book (nine out of every ten words). Encourage this by:
* Looking at the books and pictures together
* Asking the child to suggest what the story is about
* Selecting two or three words or main characters to talk about
* Allow a child time to work out words (it is recommended that you give the word after five second)
* Helping with accuracy. Encourage your child to check guesswork by cross checking letters in a word.
4. Over learning - although this may seem tedious to you it is actually good to read a child’s favourite book over and over again. This helps to build familiarity and if a child has a poor short-term memory it reinforces his understanding of the story.
5. Silent Reading - children need the opportunity to read alone. Young children need time to browse and more skillful readers need independence and time to develop fluency. Encourage discussion about books the child has read, not only what the story was about, but also weather it was a good read.
6. Fun! - reading should be a pleasure. If you seem like you are enjoying it your child will pick up on this.
* Make sure you are both comfortable and relaxed
* Make reading part of your children’s daily routine
* Use different voices for the characters
* Use role play – you be one character and encourage your child to be another