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[H278]Helping Child Learn To Read

by Shannon Miller, Sha

I feel as a parent that it is crucial for our children to learn to read at an early age. I know that some parents don't think about their child learning to read until around first grade of school. My thoughts are that the schools alone can't teach our children to read. It takes so much more in this day and time. Parents need to get involved with their child's reading at am early age. I feel starting them at the age of four is a great age. As any parent we want our children to strive to be their best in school. If we as parent s don't start getting more involved then our children are going to fall behind in school.

Before your child starts school they need to recognize their alphabet, and know their basic sight words. Teach your child their alphabet. Then your child needs some time everyday to have a chance to see these basic sight words. Ten minutes a day is about all you can get out of a four year old but that is all they need. After seeing those words enough they will pick up on them and begin to show it. I feel even on weekends is important. They need this every single day for them to learn. I have 5 children. I practiced this with every one of them but my last one. He was a sick baby and I just didn't push him to learn those words. Now he is in kindergarten and he is behind the rest of the class. I also volunteer in his class and these teachers are expected to do so much and they can not get to these sight words but maybe once a week. This is why it is so imperative to go over these sight words with your little ones. If they learn them at age four then they won't have a problem when the teacher can't get to the words on a daily basis at school. Mom and dad are there to help out at home. I have found if you take the sight words and put each word on an index card and go over these words daily with your child is the best method for learning. Make it fun.

Once your child has the basic words down to where they can look at the word and within 3 seconds (this is the limit set by most school systems) tell you what the word is they can go on to reading beginner books. You can take your child to the local library and allow them to pick out beginner books that they would want to read. Replace the time that you had set aside for the sight words with reading these books. While letting your child read with your help, ask your child to point to the words while they are reading. This helps in recognizing words as they read also known as sight reading. I know that it doesn't seem like much but this method helps out allot.

These are just a few things that we as parents can do to help get our children on the right path of learning and having a better education. If a child gets discouraged while learning it becomes more of a task to them and not fun. They will then try to steer away from the learning process all together. So try to make learning as fun as possible. If your child messes up let them know that it is okay to mess up, that is why it is called learning. Below you should find a link that will send you to a list of basic sight words.

Much of a child's reading success will depend on the level of support that he or she receives at home. When children have the tools and the opportunities to learn to read both at school and at home generally have a better chance of success. The following are ten tips that can help parents know when they are on a profitable path to helping their children prepare for reading success.

Tip #1: Read with and to Children Regularly

Reading at home with children is one of the best ways to ensure that they are ready for reading. It also sends the message that reading activities are fun and enjoyable. Parents should read with their children at least five times a week.

Tip #2: Let Children Explore Books Alone

Many parents often make the mistake of strictly controlling the reading opportunities that their children have. They may let their child select the book, but then completely take over from there. All children should be given the time to explore a book before and/or after they read it with a parent or other adult. When the child reaches the point where he or she can read alone, it's still a good idea to not rush into reading, but to encourage exploration first.

Tip #3: Show Confidence in the Child's Abilities

Children need to believe that they can do something. And, if a child becomes discouraged, it is often a parent's expressed belief in his or her abilities that helps the child over a rough patch. Displaying a lack of confidence can make the child question his or her abilities.

Tip #4: Avoid Expressing Worry About the Child's Progress

Parents who are worried about a child's reading progress should avoid discussing this with the child. Discussing concerns with the child's teacher or other homeschooling educator is a far better option than risking compounding any reading problems the child is having by bringing them to his or her attention.

Tip #5: Encourage Children to Read to Others

Parents are built-in audiences for young readers. Parents should encourage their children to read to them often. Older siblings and cousins, neighbors, aunts and uncles, and grandparents are also great audiences.

Tip #6: Have Realistic Expectations

Parents have been reading for so long that they have understandably forgotten how long it took them to learn to read. Children learn to read at different paces and they begin to learn to read at different ages. Parents need to be sure to accommodate different learning styles to avoid rushing a child into reading or expecting too much from a struggling reader.

Tip #7: Avoid Rushing a Reading Session

Children should not feel rushed during a reading session. And, parents should avoid feeling conflicted between spending time reading with children and getting something else done. Schedule time for reading when nothing else will interfere.

Tip #8: Provide Reading and Writing Opportunities

Encourage children to read and write by putting them in charge of the shopping list and sharing letters from friends and relatives. Parents can also help teach children to learn to write by helping them write their own name on letters to friends and relatives. Opportunities for reading and writing development can be found in simple, everyday activities.

Tip #9: Provide Appropriate Reading Materials

Parents should make sure that their young readers have a wealth of age-appropriate reading material. Be sure to stock the home with books that interest the child. Take the child to the library that has a good children's program as well. Encourage children to choose their own books from the library and to participate in the library's story time.

Tip #10: Nip Problems in the Bud

A child who is having trouble reading might have issues that need attention. A child that has trouble might have a learning disorder, hearing problems, or poor vision. Parents should be vigilant enough to address problems as early as possible but not be so concerned that they help create problems where none exist.

Article Source : Pg. 41

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Both Shannon Miller & Michael Levy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Shannon Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Concerns, Family Concerns. . Shannon Miller's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.

Michael Levy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education, Kids and Teens and Education. Michael Levy has published more than 250 articles and books on learning and memory. Recently, he developed Reading Buddy 2.0 to teach children to learn to read English using a remarkably easy and effective syllabics method. Would you like a free copy of t. Michael Levy's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.