1) Read With Passion and Joy
The most important thing to improve your child’s interest in reading is that he should love what he is trying to read. This will help him to improve his skills. Make sure that he reads at least one page a day with joy.
Apart from that, you should teach him as if you are telling him a story. These will encourage him to read it again and again. Parents should establish a regular reading routine. Ask your child questions at the end of a story or book they read based on the conversations you have had about the text. Children enjoy reading about their favorite subject and this is often a very good way to develop an interest of your child in reading.
2) Show that Reading is Useful
In this digital world, there are many children who think reading is a boring chore. Let children know what you are reading and why you love reading. It will help them to develop their interest in reading.
If importance is created about something then curiosity increases and this will be the turning point to show them that reading is useful. Other opportunities can be during playtime. You should bring such types of toys that have motivational quotes and stories. So that while playing he can at least read something.
3) Be Creative with your Storytelling and Comprehension Activities
A great way to inspire your child to read is by creating imaginative literacy projects based on the books your children read in class. These can involve you reading a story aloud whilst the children draw an artwork that they hear to create a giant version of the book with their own illustrations.
Parents should discuss with their children what they think the characters will do next and where the story might go before its end. Wait approximately three to five seconds to give your child a chance to respond to what you have asked or said. Show that you are waiting expectantly by raising your eyebrows with a smile on your face.
4) Maximize Reading Time
Encourage your child to take a book with them into bed, or on a car ride so that they can get a little extra time to read. Even if they read just 20 minutes daily it can help them a lot to improve their skills. As consistency is the most important thing to be successful in your life.
Give your children the chance to choose the books which they want to read. Challenge your children to get creative with their reading and they will soon want to read anywhere and everywhere. Parents can also do fun reading competitions at home or at the garden.
5) Parents Should Focus On Their Own Speech
Highlight your language as you are reading and make words stand out. Point to the objects you are talking about so that it can be easy for the child to remember the word.
Talk slowly so that it can give your child a chance to understand what you are saying. Try to correct the mistake that your child is doing. Try to add new words that have captured your child’s interest. Also looking at your child’s face when you are reading can help him to develop an interest in reading.
6) Stay Involved In Your Child’s Reading Education
Teachers may not always know when your child first begins to fall behind in their reading skills. There are some children who are too embarrassed to ask for help even if they know that they need it.
So don’t wait until the problem becomes serious. These can also affect your child’s studies. So stay involved and keep monitoring your child’s progress on a regular basis.
7) Remember That Every Child Is Different
The fact that your elder child could read at the age of five does not mean that your younger child should be expected to do the same. Each and every child has different skills and abilities.
Remember that your perception that your child is falling behind may not be accurate. Because maybe your child needs some time to improve. If you believe that your child needs some help with their reading skills, then take the help of their teacher to monitor their progress and be willing to participate in strategies to improve their skills.