by Bobby Coles

Created on: June 07, 2009   Last Updated: May 09, 2012

How To Encourage Your Child To Read

Learning how to read can be difficult for a child, and it depends on their level of reading readiness, proper book selection, enthusiastic encouragement, and perseverance. Children love books, and the more they are exposed to books in a positive light, the sooner they will display an active interest in reading by themselves. This budding independence is a good thing, even though it is sometimes hard to swallow as a parent.

Encouraging a child to read requires that the parents are positive and enthusiastic about reading, and that it is a part of a routine every day. Reading involves an understanding of language, and so the parents should be continually modelling proper language. When children make simple mistakes during speech, such as incorrect tense use, correct the grammar by saying it yourself, out loud, a couple of times. Do not ever point out that they are wrong. Be positive. Always speak properly with your child, and discuss difficult words, and provide alternative synonyms so that their vocabulary is constantly maturing.

Being a good language role model means using the proper fluency, pronunciation, enunciation, and emphasis when speaking. Always use the proper words when describing something or answering a question. This will build their vocabulary, and will give them the strengths needed to encourage their reading. Never speak down to a child, or gloss over a tough word in a book. Help them to sound out words by showing them the letters that construct the word, and their relationship to sounds.

Reading encouragement comes from the example that you set as a parent. Teaching a child to read, or to encourage them to do so more often involves many facets. Simply looking at books with your child encourages the love of books. This is a time to share companionship and to develop new skills, such as reading. Try and have a designated reading spot in their room, somewhere comfortable and relaxing. Take your child to the library and have them pick out books with you, allowing them to take ownership of their own reading.

When you encourage your child to read, you are building their vocabulary, their memory, and bringing to life their imagination. If your child is looking at the pictures in the book, then they are learning in a multi-sensory capacity, which is very beneficial. Books should be read, or looked at, on a regular basis. In your daily routine, make sure to include reading. This is easiest done before naps and bedtime.

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