Whether you are homeschooling your child or trying to get some extra practice at home, learning how to teach a child to read at home effectively is a necessity.
According to an article by U.S. News, children generally learn to read around ages 6-7. However, each child learns at their own pace. The first step to reading and writing is learning letter names and sounds, which often begins in the home.
Make Reading Fun
Learning to read can quickly become frustrating for kids — and for adults. It does not always come naturally and requires a lot of patience and practice.
Play word games: reading games are a great way to make learning fun. From reading apps for kids to making sight word games at home, changing up learning activities can easily help kids stay engaged and interested in learning to read at home.
Make crafts or treats from books: When you read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, make your own cookies with the family. If you read a story where the characters make a blanket fort, then try your hand at making your own special fort. Incorporating activities and ideas from the stories you read is a great way to grow engagement and interest in reading.
Create fun settings: Consider changing up where you are reading according to the book you have. Reading a Halloween book? Try reading under a blanket with a flashlight. Maybe you’re reading a book about getting ready for school, if so, maybe a library or homework corner at home might be a fun thing to do with your child when teaching them to read from home.
Looking for more ideas? Check out this post on How to Teach Your Child Letter Names and Sounds.
Pick the Best Books for Learning to Read
When it comes to teaching a child to read complete words and sentences, you want to first help them feel successful. Children will quickly become discouraged if faced with a book that includes difficult words or a daunting amount of pages.
The best books for your child when they are learning to read are going to be those designed for the specific reading level of the child. Choose books that include letter sounds and sight words your child already knows or is learning.
Books focused on phonics (corresponding letters and sounds) are particularly helpful for teaching a child to read. They are designed to help a child practice reading with short stories and sentences to match specific reading levels.
Although skill-based books are great for your child to practice reading with, these books should not be the only reading your child does. To increase engagement and desire to read, allow your child to pick books that are of interest to them. This includes books of all levels, magazines, e-books, or comics. Not all reading has to be skill-based. Whatever your child may love, try to find reading materials that center around those subjects to help them stay excited about reading.
Getting a child ready for school? Check out my list of favorite back to school books for ages K-5.
Be Consistent
Just like learning anything new, it’s important to remain consistent. Practice really does make perfect, and when it comes to learning sight words or letter sounds, the more practice the better (unless your child begins to get frustrated or bored, then maybe take a break).
Create a routine: First thing in the morning, before bed or after nap time, pick a time to always read with your child. Maybe you choose to review sight words in the morning and play a letter game after lunch. Maybe your child focuses better at a specific time of day.
Experiment with different routines to find the one that works best for you and your child. Whatever you choose, consistency is key.
Use everyday activities: Whether you’re driving or grocery shopping, words are everywhere. Help teach your child the importance and excitement of reading by pointing out words, letters, or sounds everywhere you go. You can even quiz them along the way and praise them for their effort. Make sure to always review the sounds and words they already know!
Be an example: The best way to teach your child anything is to be a model. If a child finds you reading, they will probably find more interest in it. Reading out loud can also teach kids how often reading skills are used everywhere and encourage them to want to be able to hold that power. Reading aloud also models a handful of different reading skills that are important for your child to see.
For further reading, check out this post on How to Teach Your Child to Read Sight Words.
Private Tutoring
If your child seems to be falling behind in reading, writing, or math, you may want to consider hiring a private tutor. Keep It Up Tutoring offers in-person and online tutoring for children K-5th grade. I help kids enjoy learning while boosting their self-confidence and owning their skills.
Contact me today at 763-350-3989 for a free consultation!