Supporting your Child’s Reading
By Angie Fish
Liberty Belle Publishing
SMASHWORDS EDITION
Copyright 2011 Angie Fish
Thank you for downloading this free eBook. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: The information in this book is offered with the understanding that it does not contain legal, financial or other professional advice. Individuals requiring such services should consult a competent professional.
The author and publisher make no representations about the suitability of the information contained in this book for any purpose. The material is provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any damages arising from the use of this book, or alleged to have resulted in connection with this book. This book is not completely comprehensive. Some readers may wish to consult additional books for advice.
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The Power of Reading
Learning to read
Most children learn to read between the ages of four and seven; however, children develop at different rates and there may be some children in Key Stage 1 (infant) who are struggling and some who are reading to Key Stage 2 (junior) level. Children who have shown an interest in books as a baby or toddler are more likely to enjoy reading in school than those who haven’t.
Most children learn to read in school. Reading is taught using the phonics system, which focuses on the sounds of individual letters and groups of letters. Teachers encourage children to sound out the letters in each word. Reading is often taught to the whole class. The teacher holds up a big book and points out each word as she reads to the children. Other teaching activities include using flashcards and word games.
Schools encourage parents and carers to listen to their children reading on a regular basis; this is because research shows that involvement in your child’s reading and learning is more important than anything else in helping them to fulfil their potential (National Literacy Trust)
Supporting Reading
Below are some things you and your child can do together to help with their reading.
Let younger children pretend to read. Discuss the pictures together.
When reading with younger children, sound out the words i.e. ‘C-A-T’ and point to each letter you are sounding out.
Respond to each individual child’s needs. Let them choose the book and the times they wish to read. Reading should be fun and not something, which is timetabled for the same time each day. Allow for some flexibility.
Repetition is good. If your child wants to read the same book over and over again then encourage it. Test their understanding by asking them if they can remember what is going to happen next in the story.
Take the opportunity to read with your child in every day situations such as when shopping or travelling on the bus.
Encourage discussion – talk about characters, any interesting pictures, and what your child thinks may happen next. Encourage your child to ask questions, particularly if they are unsure about meanings of words. Discussing books helps to develop reading skills.
Don’t be in a hurry to correct any mistakes – allow your child to repeat the word or sentence first, asking them to look at any pictures or surrounding words, which may give them clues.
Help children with ‘tricky’ words, which don’t follow usual grammatical rules. Schools will have a list of words for each year group that your child needs to learn. It may be useful to make flashcards of these words, particularly the tricky ones and use them with your child.
If a child is really struggling then take over. Praise them for trying and inform the class teacher, as there may be some extra support he or she can offer in the classroom.
Play games with your child that focus on listening to sounds and looking for letter patterns. A wide selection of games and worksheets is available on the BBC website. A well-known game you can play is ‘I-Spy’
When reading together, encourage your child to point out letters they recognise, such as the first letter of their name.
Kinaesthetic learners (children who learn by doing and being physical) may enjoy making letter shapes out of plasticine or play-doh, or forming words using magnetic letters.
Once your child has become a confident reader, try getting your child to vary their tone and start to read with expression. Discuss the meanings of explanation marks, commas, and question marks.
Reluctant Readers
Sometimes children won’t want to read. This is fine. It is important not to force children to read or make it seem like a chore. Children may be reluctant to read for various reasons; perhaps they aren’t feeling well or they may have arranged to play football with their friends. Some children may be reluctant to read if they are struggling and they are worried about this. If this happens every now and again, it is ok, as long as the child is still reading regularly. If your child is not reading at all then perhaps the following may help:
Try fitting in 10 minutes wherever possible. A small amount of time spent reading is better than nothing.
Perhaps offer rewards for regular reading and remember to offer plenty of praise and encouragement.
Look at the Internet together, viewing sites that interest your child.
Look through the TV listings guide together to find something your child wants to watch. You can do this using teletext, the on-screen television guide or a magazine.
If your child enjoys playing computer games, let them read ‘cheat’ guides or instructions on how to play.
Remember, reading isn’t just about stories; try comics or non-fiction books or books linked to your child’s favourite TV programme. Find out what your child is interested in and offer them related reading material to encourage them to want to read i.e. a child interested in Spongebob may enjoy reading a Spongebob annual.
Reading at Home
Research has shown that children are more likely to read if they grow up surrounded by books and in the company of adults and other children, they see reading.
Studies show that children who enjoy reading do much better at school and children who read to their parents or carers improve their reading a great deal. (www.literacytrust.org) Reading fiction helps children to learn about emotions and relationships as they identify with the characters, and non-fiction and some fictional books can teach children about the world around them. Therefore, it is a good idea to encourage children to read wherever possible and to promote reading as something enjoyable. It helps if children see you reading books, newspapers, or magazines on a regular basis.
The following pages will give you some further ideas on how to develop a reading culture within your home. The main thing to remember, however, is that reading should be enjoyable. If a child enjoys doing something, they will want to continue with that activity for as long as possible. That is our aim when we try to develop a reading culture at home as it helps the child to understand that reading s not something which is done just in the classroom, but something that an be done at home in a more relaxed environment. It helps children to become lifelong readers.
In the Living Room
Provide a collection of magazines, newspapers, and catalogues, which you can share with your child, including children’s comics.
Provide comfortable seating and lighting so people feel comfortable reading in this room.
Children learn by example – let your child see you reading in this room.
Allow your child to store some of their books in this room so that they can read them whenever they wish, and share them with you.
The Living Room is a place where families can relax together and it is often the cosiest room in the house. Perhaps this room can be used to share books and support your child’s reading on a regular basis.
In your child’s bedroom
Display posters of favourite characters from books.
Create a special book corner. Display books in a bookshelf or a book box and provide a comfortable chair or beanbag for you child to sit on.
Provide a dictionary so children can look up unfamiliar words.
Auditory learners (children who learn best through listening) or visually impaired children may enjoy audio books.
Read bedtime stories to your child on a regular basis.
If there is enough space why not provide a small desk and chair so that you child has somewhere to write their own stories?
In the bathroom
Write messages on steamed-up mirrors or tiles.
Provide some bath crayons and play a spelling game.
For younger children you can share waterproof books.
For older children why not try ‘bath time stories’
In the kitchen
Place magnetic letters on the fridge and encourage your child to spell words with them.
Encourage your child to read words on cereal boxes and other food packaging.
During a shared baking session, ask your child to help you read the recipe.
When writing out your shopping list, write a mini list for your child and let them help you to fill your shopping basket.
If you have space why not put up a notice board and let your child watch you writing out messages and reminders. You could also do this using a calendar instead.
Out and about
Point out words to your child. Look at signs, posters, food packaging and destination names on buses.
Take your child shopping and ask them to find certain items.
Join the local library and watch out for any special events you and your child can attend.
Create an outdoor reading area in your garden and share books together.
Let your child paint words on outdoor paths using and paintbrush and water.
Write each other messages on steamed up car windows.
The above ideas are all about developing a reading culture within the home so that your child sees reading as something separate from the rigid educational environment at school. Hopefully they will be more likely to read if they see it as something fun that the whole family can do together.
Reading and Writing
Studies have shown that older children’s writing improves the more they read and vice versa, therefore writing should be encouraged as much as possible for older children. As with reading it is important not to push your child. Just be there to encourage them when they want to write rather than forcing them. Some children are naturally motivated to write and will enjoy writing their own stories or poems. Some children enjoy writing plays or even song lyrics! If a child shows interest in any of these activities then show an interest too and offer praise and encouragement.
For children who are not naturally inclined to write you can try the following activities:
Give your child a word and ask them to make as many words as possible from that one word. You can also get them to make anagrams from their name.
Suggest they keep a diary or journal (or even a blog!)
Ask them to help you write out your shopping list or let them help you write out cards or invitations.
Your child may enjoy writing their own newsletter to share with their friends. In it they can write reviews of their favourite TV shows or sports matches or other events they have been to. They can write their top ten lists i.e.’ My top ten favourite foods’ and anything else they wish to add.
Games and Activities
The following are some other things you can do with your child to help them with reading and writing:
Find a globe or an atlas and ask you child to find where they live.
Get some junior crossword puzzles or word searches and help your child to complete them. (You can make your own at www.puzzlemaker.com.)
Give your child a list i.e. pop stars or football teams and ask them to put the list in alphabetical order.
Hire story sacks from your local library. Using props and puppets helps bring stories alive for younger children. Why not create your own story sack by making your own characters? Photocopy, trace or draw your child’s favourite character and let your child colour it in and then you can stick it some cardboard or laminate it. The character can then accompany the story and it also doubles up as a bookmark!
You can design your own bookmarks; either use your own designs or download some from www.activityvillage.co.uk , www.rif.otr.uk or www.dltk-kids.com
Record your own audio books for your child to listen to or perhaps you can ask older children to record audio books for the younger ones. Children will enjoy listening to a familiar voice.
Why not put together a mystery bag? Visit your local library and take out five or six books. Fill an old pillowcase and give it to your child. Tell them they can take their time to explore the bag and allow them to stay up a little later than usual to read the books. This is an excellent weekend activity, which helps children to think of reading as fun.
Buy books as presents and teach children to look after them. Children will then start seeing books as something valuable, to be treasured.
Make a ‘Word-Box’ with your child. Decorate it and put in new words your child has learned. (Studies have shown that talking about and looking at words aids literacy development.) When there is a certain number of words in there you can agree to buy your child a new book, perhaps.
Using an old magazine or newspaper ask your child to put a circle around every word ending in ‘ing’ or circle any descriptive words.
I hope this free eBook has given you plenty of ideas to support your child with reading and writing. It has been proven that in the Early Years children learn best when they are allowed to explore books and make sounds rather than having formal learning forced on them. The majority of teachers know when your child is ready for being formally taught to read. If you have a toddler then everything in this eBook will be the best start possible for your child and will help them be ready for formal learning once they start school.
About the author
I am a qualified teacher and Early Years Professional. I have over 5 years experience working with children of all ages. I am currently working as a tutor and I help support children from pre-school age right through to secondary school with the core subjects: English, maths and science.
I am working on several more books to help parents prepare their children for formal learning (Babyskool Series – coming soon).
I hope you have enjoyed this book. If you have, then please feel free to visit my blog too - http://libertybellelifestyle.wordpress.com
Thanks for reading
Angie