The single most important skill for kids to learn is reading . In kindergarten and first grade they spend a lot of time learning to read, but after that they read to learn. Kids who struggle with this skill will struggle for their entire school career. Here are some tips to help your child learn to read or improve their reading skills:
1. Find out how they learn best - some kids can easily sound words out while others need someone to tell them what the word says so they can 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 media such as computers, nooks, 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. Turn on the subtitles for hearing impaired when watching television. 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, including books on tape.
8. Get them to write their own stories. Reading and writing are intertwined and their reading skills will improve as they practice 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.
1. Find out how they learn best - some kids can easily sound words out while others need someone to tell them what the word says so they can 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 media such as computers, nooks, 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. Turn on the subtitles for hearing impaired when watching television. 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, including books on tape.
8. Get them to write their own stories. Reading and writing are intertwined and their reading skills will improve as they practice 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.
About the Author:
Want to find more homework tips, then visit Dawn Marcotte's site for tips on math and other subjects kids often struggle with.
