Helping Your Child Improve Reading Skills
Reading is the foundation of a life filled with learning
and understanding of the world. What a gift it must be
then, to instill love for reading in your child. If you are
able to do so, you guarantee your child's success and
ensure their ability to learn, grow, and adapt to the
ever-changing society in which we live. If the proper
reading skills are not developed by your child, he or she
will struggle with all of the subjects in school.
 
Parenting is not an easy job, and it is especially hard
when you see your child struggling to master something as
complex as reading and phonics. As an adult with years of
reading experience, it can be hard to visualize why your
child is having problems picking up something that came so
naturally to you and to others. This can leave you feeling
inadequate and frustrated, both of which can have a
negative impact on your efforts to improve your child's
reading skills.
 
So, be calm; be patient, and follow these parenting tips
for improving reading skills:
 
1.  Read with your child often no matter what his or her
age. Bedtime stories are not just for babies and
preschoolers. Schedule some sort of age-appropriate reading
activity that the whole family can enjoy each and every
day. Some ideas include reading the newspaper, sharing
poetry, creating plays from story books, and having a
family reading hour. Remember what families did before
radio and television? They read together, and you can too.
 
2. Ask your son questions about what was read to see if he
understands the text. Can your child relate the story to
something or someone that he knows?
 
3. At different points in story books, ask your daughter to
predict what is going to happen. Do not tell her what you
think is going to happen. Be sure to ask questions at the
end about the outcome and what she thought about it.
 
4. Educational toys and computer programs that reinforce
reading skills can be a great idea. Be sure that these
encourage your child to read, though, and that they do not
become a chore. Your child will not stick with anything
that is not enjoyable. Strive to keep reading an enjoyable
part of your child's education.
 
5. Instill a love of reading by setting a good example.
Turn off the TV and pick up a book yourself. If you make
reading a regular part of your life, your child will want
to follow suit. Go to the library together, and make
reading a leisure activity.
 
6. Look for opportunities to read where your child least
expects it. This can be especially good for children who
refuse to cooperate with tutoring or other efforts to
improve their reading skills. Ask your child to help you
follow a recipe for making their favorite cookies or have
him read you the lyrics of his favorite song. Be creative;
the goal is to get your child reading.
 
Remember, creativity is the key to teaching your child to
read, and then helping your child improve her reading
skills. Don't just bark commands at her or make her
practice reading drills. Instill a love of reading in her
and she will continue to learn and grow even when you are
not watching.
 
 
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Bonnie Foshee, Parenting Expert. If you are not yet
receiving my free powerful parenting tips, you are missing
 
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