15 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHILD'S READING SKILLS

5) Participate in reading contests

 It is common for many schools, children’s libraries and community centres to organise reading contests during your child’s holidays. They have group reading and writing activities. Winning prizes is enough motivation for your child to get into the habit of reading. They will also be fascinated to be reading alongside people of their age group. So do not hesitate to take your child to the next reading competition that is organised in your locality.

6) Discuss what your child has just read

 It is very important to be engaged with what you read and not just read for the sake of it. When a child understands what they read they will be more motivated to read them. A great habit is to discuss whatever you read. Let us say you read one chapter, pause there and ask your child questions about it. Ask the child to explain what was read in his or her own words. Make it interesting and engaging. Your child will love it. Reward them when they get the answers right. This will be the much needed motivation that they need to keep going on with their reading habit.

7) Write down questions about what you don’t understand

 Always remember that your child will not understand everything that they read. If these aspects remain unexplained to them they will not be interested in reading further. So make it a habit for your child to write down whatever they do not understand or atleast to ask you there and then the meaning of it. Having clarity about what your child reads is essential to keep their interest and enthusiasm going.

8) Make connections

 Whenever a child reads or listens to you read to them they create small images of what they see or hear. A great practice for you as a parent would be to make connections with whatever is being read. This helps them to focus and memorise better. If the book talks about places that you have gone to with your child, talk about the memories you’ll made there. What you’ll did, who you’ll met and how did you’ll spend time there.

9) Create mini “mind movies” 

The process of visualization helps to bring a story to life. Remember that your child’s mind is very creative and imaginative. When you are reading to a child, add your own twist and describe scenes in the book more vividly. Talk about feelings associated with a scene, about the colours, about senses of smell and hearing, sounds and so on. Let your child imagine as much as possible. Make your child create a movie of their own; ask them to describe it to you. Ask them to imagine and reimagine things their own way. Do not limit their creativity, just let it flow.

10) Remember that every child is different

When it comes to reading every child is different. If you have two kids, do not generalise the reading habits of one and impose them on the other. If your oldest child could read at a particular age do not expect your younger child to do the same. Every child develops at their own pace. Do not unnecessarily worry that your child is falling apart just because they didn’t start reading at the same time as other children. However, just incase they struggle it is nothing to be majorly concerned about, with your support they will improve.

11) Never give up on your child

Teaching your child to read requires a lot of patience. It is a slow process and often parents tend to get fed up and give up easily. If your child is struggling with reading it only means he or she requires more of your help and assistance and you must give it to them.

12) Let your kids choose

 As your child grows, ensure that you let them choose the book that they would like to read. If they do not get the option to read what they like they may avoid doing so entirely. Let them make their choice, provide them with options and let them pick their best. With so many children books online one can easily purchase and choose from among the best. You can also choose from an easily available range of preloved books.

13) Touch and feel books

Invest in touch and feel books for your toddlers. Kids learn to first explore the world by the sense of touch. Touch and feel books will add the touch of curiosity in their life and encourage them to use their senses. These books also increase their vocabulary as a child is easily able to associates themselves with what they touch and feel. It makes book reading a fun and enjoyable process. Invest in great touch and feel books for your child.

14) Associate your child with clues

 One thing that a parent can do to keep their child engaged in reading is to give their children clues and ask them to guess what is happening. This will help them in their comprehension and they will remember better. For example if one of the characters in the book is wearing gym clothes and is perspiring you can ask your child what would the person have been doing?

15) Keep in Touch With Your Child’s Teacher

 Teachers are the other people with whom children spend most of their time. Teachers are very close to a child and they often know best what a child loves and are interested in. Your child’s teacher can suggest the best books that your child would be interested in. This would make your task of picking books for your child easier.