How Can I Help My Child With Reading?

[Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV - Part V - Part VI - Part VII]

• Read to your child as often as you can. this does not necessarily need to be fiction books but non-fiction.
• Encourage your child to choose the books you read together and help the child to tell the story from pictures in the book.
• Talk about the books you read and the people, things and animals in them. Interactive talk is important.
• Draw attention to the illustrations when reading to your child. Ask thought provoking questions( What if ...., What would you...).
• Sign upyour child in the local library for a library card. Most often it is free or of very little expense.
• Select books that describe familiar experiences (perhaps Canadian), concepts and objects as well as fairy tales and fantasy stories. Often boys like non-fiction so make sure there is a balance.
• Make sure your child sees members of the family reading. Does Dad and Mom regularly read?
• Buy books as presents.Let your child help you choose them. There are used book stores that sell books for less.
• Keep audiotapes of favorite stories and songs in the car to play on long journeys.
• Help your child to recognize his/her own name.Write simple dedications inside the child’s own books and encourage them to start building their own book collection.
• Teach your child nursery rhymes and songs. Even older children could read to younger brothers and sisters.
• Make use of quality “book and tape” sets during busy times in the daily schedule.
• Select books that use repetition to capture the rhythm of language, e.g. The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
• Tell stories on the way to the mall , at bath time, at bed time.
• Always keep a selection of books in your bag.
• Place labels around the home, e.g. “These are Kim’s favorite books”
• Hold the book so the child can see the pictures and writing.
• Let the child hold the book and turn the pages
• Encourage the child to join in and “read” too.
• Leave the book handy for private readings to teddy.
• Help your child to tell the story from the pictures in the book.
• Talk about everyday print, e.g. “We are going in here to get a burger.See the sign.It say “______ Hamburgers”.
• Sometimes point to the words as you read.
• Talk about your plans, e.g. “Today I am going to make a cake, let’s look at the recipe” ,"Today we'll cut the lawn, so what do we need to do first?"
• Before beginning to read, settle your child down and talk a little about the book, e.g. “This looks as if it’s going to be a funny story.”
• Accept and praise your child’s attempts to read.
• Visit thebook store- perhaps just to look.
• Fill your child’s room with posters, books, pictures, mobiles of book characters.
• Make a cloth book bag to take books with you wherever you go.

References:

Education Department of Western Australia . (1994). Reading Developmental Continuum. Portsmouth NH: Heinemann Press