Reading with your child is one of the single most important things you can do to help with their education. In fact, a recent study has shown that parents who point out letters and words as they read aloud boost their child’s reading skills. Reading a little every day for a short period is the most beneficial to children.
Think of ways to make reading fun, and how you can show your child how enjoyable books can be. Have a discussion about the contents of a particular page you have both enjoyed reading. Books aren’t just about learning the words on a page; they are also a wonderful way to introduce new ideas and topics for you and your child to discuss.
Tips to help your child love reading:
- Encourage your child to look at books before he or she is able to read. By simply looking at the words, this will make it easier for when he gets older.
- Bring him to the library whenever you can.
- Have a regular time for reading, maybe when he gets home from school or just before his bedtime.
- Buy dual-language books if English isn’t your family’s first language. That way you can talk about books and stories and develop a love for them in both languages.
- Look for books on topics that you know your child is interested in - maybe wizards, dinosaurs, cookery or sports.
- Make sure that children’s books can easily be accessed in different rooms around your house. Putting a book-shelf in his room will also help develop a love of reading.
