Learning to read starts long before a child starts to sound out letters. It starts with getting used to the idea that people sit with books (or even electronic devices like tablets) and use them as a source of information and entertainment. If you are the parent of a toddler, the time you spend (or don't spend) reading and helping your child appreciate letters, sounds, and stories can have a great impact on your child's future.
At Horizon Education Centers, we prepare children socially and academically for Kindergarten but it is also important that parents offer encouragement and positive messages about reading at home.
Here are some tips from GreatSchools.org on "Fun ways to read with your child" -
"Let your child see you reading"
You can do this in a way that works for you. If you don't read a lot of books, that is okay. Your child will benefit from seeing that you spend time reading magazines and newspapers as well as books.
"Set aside a specific time for reading"
You can read to your child for 10 minutes each night or find a block on time on the weekend. Setting aside time emphasizes that it is an important commitment.
"Make reading fun"
It helps to tailor reading time to the child or children. If you child craves closeness and likes quiet time, try to make sure your reading time offers that. On the other hand, if your child is more animated, try to use different voices for the characters in the story, make animal sounds if there is an animal, and let your child act out some of the story.
"Keep reading aloud to your child"
Some parents stop reading with their children once their child learns to read, but you can keep the tradition going. When you read aloud, you can read books to your child that he or she cannot read alone. This will expose your child to more vocabulary.
Photo Credit: danxoneil
