How to Develop Reading Skills in Children
Reading for fun is very important for the development of children because it is something that they will most likely keep throughout their lives; therefore their intelligence and the level of knowledge will be higher than the average.
Many parents know all the benefits of reading, but they do not know how to develop that ability in their children, or they do not know how to improve it. A talk with your 3-year-old will not work to explain the importance of reading, so we recommend you follow these steps:
1. Make books familiar in your environment.
Both in your living room and your child’s room, have enough reading material of all kinds. We do not just talk about physical books; You can keep some children’s magazines, newspaper sections, mobile applications or online programs, so your child will not stop learning while playing.
2. Be the example
When you are sure your child can see it, read books whose topics you can explain to him in case he ask any questions. Tell him about the story you are reading and the intrigue that is generating the development of the story. That will spark their curiosity to take a book at home. What we advise is not to force them to have the interest; Let them take the first step.
3. Read each other
If your child is at a preschool level, while you read, use your index finger to follow the reading. Besides from understanding that each word has a sound and meaning, he will learn the basic conventions of reading, as read from top to bottom, from left to right, and so on.
If your child is a little older, when it is his turn to read, be patient with his speed and mistakes. Support him with the words that he can not pronounce and explain its meaning if he asks. After reading, have a brief talk about what he understood to estimate his level of understanding and concentration.
4. Take your child to libraries and bookstores
This trip may seem a little old fashioned in the Internet era, but it is important for your child to know about the existence of libraries and the organization and care of books, highlighting their importance. Besides from taking a tour to the children’s sections, you can show him the book order and classification. In the case of bookstores, let your child take the books that catch his attention, always taking care that he respects whatever book he picks.
5. Let your child make his decisions.
Children do not have to read children’s novels or cartoon characters. If your child chooses a cookbook or how to build a robot, it will be great, since not only will be motivated to do a new activity but also he will learn to read faster to understand the words of the recipes or instructions that interest him. An open mind will always absorb more knowledge.
6. Choose an online reading program
These programs are ideal for your children during vacation or after school. Many parents think that out-of-school activities are too much for the minds of their kids, but the good thing about these materials is that they teach them while having fun. It is precisely the same as if they watch television for two hours or play car races on a cell phone, but instead of developing the laziness that these last two activities produce, they will be generating a series of skills that will keep their brain active to gain further knowledge.
Here is a list of the best online reading programs for children.
