This holiday season, you can give your child lots of reading opportunities. As our Elementary School Librarian, many parents ask me how to get kids interested in reading every day.
Here are some top tips which can offer some fun ways to help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week and see what works best for your child.
1. Don’t leave home without it
Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as at the airport. Always try to fit in reading!
2. Once is not enough
Encourage your child to re-read favorite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more fluently and accurately.
3. Digging deeper into the story
Ask your child questions about the story they’ve just read or one you have read with them.
4. Take control of the television and digital devices
It’s difficult for reading to compete with TV, digital devices and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity. It’s a great incentive for your child to know that you will talk about their reading with them afterwards.
5. Being patience with children
When your child is trying to sound out an unfamiliar word, give him or her time to do so. Remind your child to look closely at the first letter or letters of the word.
For older readers, if you think that your child is not answering questions about their reading as well as you think they could, give them time to think about their answers.
6. Pick books that are the right level
Help your child pick books that are not too difficult. The aim is to give your child lots of successful reading experiences.
7. I read to you, and you read to me
Take turns reading aloud at bedtime. Kids enjoy this special time with their parents.
8. Gently correct your young reader
When your child makes a mistake, gently point out the letters he or she overlooked or read incorrectly. Many beginning readers will guess wildly at a word based on its first letter.
Older readers need help with interpreting text at a deeper level. Help them along the way as they explore between the lines.
9. Talk, talk, talk
Talk with your child every day about school and things going on around the house. Sprinkle some interesting words into the conversation, and build on words you’ve talked about in the past.
10. Write, write, write
Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note for those holiday gifts, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home.
This activity will help them explore the power of words and give them an opportunity to use some of these great words they’ve discovered in their reading.
If you are looking for any book suggestions for your child, please come and see me in the Elementary School Library. We’re open from 8:15 until 4:15 every day.
Find out more about what the ES Library has to offer on the BFIS Website. Happy Reading!
Miss Emma
BFIS Elementary Librarian
emmak@bfischool.org
