{"id":713,"date":"2021-06-01T22:30:25","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T19:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lionstory.com\/blog\/?p=713"},"modified":"2022-06-24T12:45:18","modified_gmt":"2022-06-24T09:45:18","slug":"how-to-teach-a-child-read","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lionstory.com\/blog\/articles\/how-to-teach-a-child-read","title":{"rendered":"How to Teach a Child to Read at Home – Best Ways for Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nTeaching your children to read can feel like an overwhelming task. There are so many routes to take and a long list of potential difficulties that your children might face – take attention span<\/em> and having a desire to read<\/em> as just two examples! So, how can we teach kids to read?<\/p>\n

We\u2019re super excited to tell you that teaching reading is not only simple, but it can actually be incredibly fun! Taking the time to read with our children can foster a special bond whilst creating memories that last a lifetime. And when you practice reading outside of books, your child will barely even realize that they\u2019re learning!<\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019re going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to how to teach a child to read. We\u2019ll also be guiding you through the best ways to teach kids to read as well as a few reading activities that the whole family can enjoy.<\/p>\n

FAQ<\/h2>\n

At what age should a child be able to read?<\/h3>\n

Most children are able to read between the ages of 6-7, whilst some children may be able to read as early as 4-5 years old. It\u2019s important to remember that all children have different interests and will excel at different things – don\u2019t worry if your child seems further behind than their peers!<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be looking at some of the best ways to teach your kids to read so that you can help them to progress at home, stress-free.<\/p>\n

How do children learn to read?<\/h3>\n

Children learn to read by getting familiar with letters and sounds, followed by words. This is why it\u2019s so important to talk to and sing to babies! Although they may not respond, we\u2019ll be helping them in the early stages of developing an understanding of language.<\/p>\n

Once children are familiar with letters and the sounds they make, we can start making reading a more educational activity by pointing to the words and asking our kids to sound them out after us.<\/p>\n

How to teach your child to read<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

How can I teach my child to read at home?<\/h3>\n

Teaching your child to read at home doesn\u2019t have to be stressful! Here are a few simple ways that you can teach your child to read at home:<\/p>\n

1. Sing songs to develop phonemic awareness<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI like to eat apples and bananas\u201d is a great place to start!<\/p>\n

2. The alphabet<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduce the alphabet by asking your child to trace letters of the alphabet – Focus on two to three letters at a time and give them examples of words that begin with the letter.<\/p>\n

3. Word cards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Word cards are a great way to help your child learn words by sight. Start with three-letter words such as \u2018cat\u2019, \u2018dog\u2019 and \u2018bee\u2019 as well as an image representing the word on the card.<\/p>\n

4. Matching games<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use a set of cards and help your child to match images with the correct word.<\/p>\n

5. Letter magnets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use letter magnets to spell words together.<\/p>\n

6. Word games<\/strong><\/p>\n

Play word games when you\u2019re walking or driving – for example, take it in turns to find as many words as you can beginning with \u2018B\u2019.<\/p>\n

(Tip: sound the letter phonetically when playing this game with younger children!).<\/p>\n

How can I improve my child\u2019s reading level at home?<\/h3>\n


\nImproving your child\u2019s reading level at home is not only easy, but it can be really fun too! The most important thing to remember is to remove pressure from the learning process – enjoy it.<\/p>\n

Here are a few ways that you can improve your child\u2019s reading level at home – these are also great if you\u2019re looking for ways to teach your toddler to read!<\/p>\n

1. Creating a reading routine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creating a reading routine will ensure that the practice is regular. Whether this involves you reading to your child or having them read to you, try to do it at the same time every day. If you\u2019re finding it hard to keep them interested, start small! It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re only reading together for 1 minute every day for the first week – try increasing the time by another minute when your child seems ready.<\/p>\n

2. Let them choose their books\/reading material<\/strong><\/p>\n

Can you imagine how frustrating it would be if someone told us what we could and couldn\u2019t read?! Let your child choose their own books by taking them to a library or bookstore and giving them the freedom to select anything that piques their interest. Comics, magazines, toddler books – it\u2019s all practice!<\/p>\n

3. Practice reading outside of books<\/strong><\/p>\n

Practice reading outside of books by encouraging your kids to read from road signs, menus, manuals, and brochures.<\/p>\n

4. Stay involved<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stay involved in their reading and the progress they\u2019re making by asking questions about the story, talking about the books that you\u2019ve been reading, and making reading time a special time for the both of you.<\/p>\n

What are the main steps to teaching reading?<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Source: The Classroom Key<\/a><\/p>\n

3 important steps to teaching kids to read<\/h3>\n

1. Create a reading environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Create a comfortable reading environment that you both enjoy spending time in. Remember to use an engaging tone to keep your child interested whilst also asking them questions about the story.<\/p>\n

2.Teach the necessary reading skills<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before teaching your child to read and recognize words, take the time to ensure that:<\/p>\n