Friday 17 February 2012

10 Easy Tips for Parents to Improve Kids Reading

By Dawn Marcotte


The most important skill for kids to learn in school is reading . In kindergarten and first grade they spend time learning to read, but after that they read to learn in every subject. Kids who struggle with reading will struggle for their entire 12 years of required school. Here are 10 tips to help your child learn to read or improve their current reading skills:

1. Find out how they best learn to read - some kids can sound words out while others need someone to tell them what the word says and then they recognize it the next time they see it. Some kids will learn better if they hear the words as they follow along in a book or on a computer. Whatever their preferred method of learning is, use it to help them.

2. Read to them every day. Instead of watching TV before school read them a short story or have them read to you from their favorite book. It doesn't matter at first if they are actually reading or just repeating what they have memorized, eventually they will be reading. Read again at bedtime. Allow them to read at the table during meals instead of watching TV.

3. Get them to read something fun every day. Whether it is a comic book, magazine, newspaper comics, picture book or anything they actually want to read is not as important as the enjoyment. Don't focus on how well they are reading.

4. Use all kinds of media like computers, nook, kindle, leapfrog leapads or any other electronic media source that will read to them. This will provide extra practice and introduce them to new words they may not have seen before.

5. When watching TV turn on the subtitles for hearing impaired. This, again, will introduce them to words they may not see in print anywhere else.

6. Have them read to a younger sibling or playmate - even if this is just reading board books it will give them a sense of importance to be able to read to someone else who enjoys listening and will improve their skills through regular practice.

7. Visit the local library regularly to get new books, take advantage of reading programs and check out books on tape.

8. Encourage them to write their own stories. Reading and writing are intertwined and their reading skills will improve as they practice them in writing.

9. Keep plenty of things to read available all the time. This means magazines, chapter books, picture books, newspapers, and even online books.

10. Reward them when they practice reading, no matter how well they actually do. Reading is improved through constant practice and that takes time and effort. Frustrated kids won't put in that time.

Learning how to read can be a struggle for some kids and the school may need to offer additional help for students with special needs. Students who have dyslexia or another learning disability will require some specialized help. Work with the teachers and the school to determine if this extra help is needed for a student that is struggling past 2nd grade to read at their expected grade level.

Students who master reading will do better in school and be more likely to attend the college of their choice. They will not struggle in other classes because they are able to read the material and this will make the 12 years of school much easier for them.




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