Learn how to Read | How to Teach Your Child to Reading. Reading is one of the most important skills one can develop, and a parent’s role in teaching a child to read is of utmost importance. Teaching children to read is a complex process, but with plenty of guidance and patience, it’s a journey that can be incredibly rewarding.
Understand the Steps to Reading
A basic understanding of how reading works is necessary before starting the process of teaching your child to read. There are two main parts to reading: decoding and comprehension. Decoding is the understanding and application of language structure in order to recognize words. Comprehension is the ability to understand a text’s meaning and underlying message.
The process of teaching your child to read should start with an introduction to phonics. Understanding sounds of letters is an essential part to decoding words. Flashcards, phonics books, and online resources are great tools to practice and build a solid foundation of phonics skills.
It’s also important to be mindful of your child’s primary language. Spanish speakers, for example should focus on the Spanish alphabet and phonetics when teaching their children to read in their native language.
Children should also learn the different elements of a book. Cover page, table of contents, chapter headings and page numbers, for example, are important features that help children to orient themselves within the reading material.
Teach Your Child High Frequency Words
High frequency words are integral to any reading program. These are words usually used to communicate, but are not phonetically regular or easily sounded out. Examples of high-frequency words include “the,” “of,” “said” and “were.”
At first, you can manually introduce your child to these words. After they become more familiar with them, practice reading small phrases and sentences that contain high frequency words.
It can be helpful to break down the words into syllables to make them easier for children to understand. For instance, teaching children the word “desert” can be done by breaking it down into “de-sert,” highlighting each syllable and its corresponding sounds.
Practice Comprehension
As your child builds a foundation of phonics skills and high frequency words, it’s important to move toward more complex reading material and practice comprehension. Encourage your child to read aloud to you and answer questions about the plot or characters. If your child is older and familiar with the rules of grammar and sentence structure, practice using reading passages to identify adjectives, adverbs, verbs and nouns.
Create a Schedule for Reading
In any case, make sure to create a weekly read with your child. Make sure to pick a routine reading time set aside specifically for reading. You can also use that time to practice other language concepts, such as distinguishing synonyms or homonyms.
A regularly scheduled read also gives you’re an opportunity to review what they’ve been learning in terms of phonics, grammar, and comprehension.
Don’t Rely Solely on Technology
It’s important to not rely solely on technology during the process of teaching your child to read. While there are some great tools such as e-readers and interactive education websites — it’s the parent’s guidance and patience that makes the most difference.
Encourage Your Child and Be Patient
Remember that learning to read is a long process and your child needs to go at his or her own pace. Constant correction or unhealthy pressure to “read more” or “read faster” will only do more harm than good.
At the same time, make sure to recognize your child’s progress and reward them for their efforts. Praise your son or daughter for a job well done or reward him or her with a fun activity after finishing reading a chapter.
FAQs
What are high frequency words?
High frequency words are those that are commonly used in everyday speech and are not phonetically regular or easily sounded out. Examples of high-frequency words include “the,” “of,” “said” and “were.”
How can I practice comprehension with my child?
Encourage your child to read aloud to you and answer questions about the plot or characters. You can also use reading passages to identify adjectives, adverbs, verbs and nouns.
What should I do if my child is having trouble learning to read?
It’s important to take your child’s pace into account. Make sure to not apply unhealthy pressure to “read more” or “read faster,” as this can do more harm than good. It may be helpful to find resources such as a language therapist or tutor that specializes in teaching reading.
What are some educational tools for teaching reading?
Flashcards, phonics books, and online resources are great tools to practice and build a solid foundation. You can also find interactive websites for children to practice language concepts such as distinguishing synonyms or homonyms.
What if my child is a Spanish speaker?
Spanish speakers should focus on the Spanish alphabet and phonetics when teaching children to read. You can find useful resources such as Spanish language books and language videos to get started.
What should I do when my child finishes reading a chapter?
Make sure to recognize your child’s progress and reward them for their efforts. Praise your son or daughter for a job well done or reward him or her with a fun activity.
In conclusion, teaching your child to read is an enriching experience for everyone involved. Be patient and encouraging, and use the tips and resources provided above to guide your child on the journey of reading.
