| Teaching your child to read can be a significant | | | | Parents are built-in audiences for young readers. |
| challenge. Get 10 quick and easy tips from a | | | | Parents should encourage their children to read to |
| successful reading instructor for preparing your | | | | them often. Older siblings and cousins, neighbors, |
| child for this important learning experience. | | | | aunts and uncles, and grandparents are also great |
| A great deal of a child's reading success depends | | | | audiences. |
| on the level of support that she or he receives at | | | | Tip #6: Have Realistic Expectations |
| home. Children who are given the tools and the | | | | Parents have been reading for so long that they |
| opportunities to learn to read both at school and | | | | have understandably forgotten how long it took |
| at home have a better chance of success. The | | | | them to learn to read. Children learn to read at |
| following are ten tips that can help parents know | | | | different paces and they begin to learn to read at |
| when they are on track helping their children | | | | different ages. Parents need to be sure to |
| prepare for reading success. | | | | accommodate different learning styles to avoid |
| Tip #1: Read with and to Children Regularly | | | | rushing a child into reading or expecting too much |
| Reading at home with children is one of the best | | | | from a struggling reader. |
| ways to ensure that they are ready for reading. | | | | Tip #7: Avoid Rushing a Reading Session |
| It also sends the message that reading activities | | | | Children should not feel rushed during a reading |
| are fun and enjoyable. Parents should read with | | | | session. And, parents should avoid feeling |
| their children at least five times a week. | | | | conflicted between spending time reading with |
| Tip #2: Let Children Explore Books Alone | | | | children and getting something else done. Schedule |
| Many parents often make the mistake of strictly | | | | time for reading when nothing else will interfere. |
| controlling the reading opportunities that their | | | | Tip #8: Provide Reading and Writing Opportunities |
| children have. They may let their child select the | | | | Encourage children to read and write by putting |
| book, but then completely take over from there. | | | | them in charge of the shopping list and sharing |
| All children should be given the time to explore a | | | | letters from friends and relatives. Parents can also |
| book before and/or after they read it with a | | | | help teach children to learn to write by helping |
| parent or other adult. When the child reaches the | | | | them write their own name on letters to friends |
| point where he or she can read alone, it's still a | | | | and relatives. Opportunities for reading and writing |
| good idea to not rush into reading, but to | | | | development can be found in simple, everyday |
| encourage exploration first. | | | | activities. |
| Tip #3: Show Confidence in the Child's Abilities | | | | Tip #9: Provide Appropriate Reading Materials |
| Children need to believe that they can do | | | | Parents should make sure that their young |
| something. And, when a child becomes | | | | readers have a wealth of age-appropriate reading |
| discouraged, it is often a parent's belief in his or | | | | material. Be sure to stock the home with books |
| her abilities that helps the child over a rough patch. | | | | that interest the child. Take the child to the library |
| Displaying a lack of confidence can make the child | | | | as well. Encourage children to choose their own |
| question his or her abilities. | | | | books from the library and to participate in the |
| Tip #4: Avoid Expressing Worry About the Child's | | | | library's story time. |
| Progress | | | | Tip #10: Nip Problems in the Bud |
| Parents who are worried about a child's reading | | | | A child who is having trouble reading might have |
| progress should avoid discussing this with the child. | | | | issues that need attention. A child that has trouble |
| Discussing concerns with the child's teacher or | | | | might have a learning disorder, hearing problems, |
| other homeschooling educator is a far better | | | | or poor vision. Parents should be vigilant enough to |
| option than risking compounding any reading | | | | address problems as early as possible but not be |
| problems the child is having by bringing them to | | | | so concerned that they help create problems |
| his or her attention. | | | | where none exist. |
| Tip #5: Encourage Children to Read to Others | | | | |