Families logo

How to Help Your Child Learn to Read!

When reading to your child, read slowly, and point to the words that you are reading to help the child make a connection between the word you are saying and the word you are reading.

By Parents GuidePublished 3 years ago 3 min read
How to Help Your Child Learn to Read!
Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash

The ability to read is vital for success. It helps your child succeed in school, helps them build self-confidence, and helps to motivate your child. Being able to read will help your child learn more about the world, understand directions on signs and posters, allow them to find reading as entertainment, and help them gather information.

Learning to read is very different from learning to speak, and it does not happen all at once. There is a steady progression in the development of reading ability over time. The best time for children to start learning to read is at a very young age - even before they enter preschool. Once a child is able to speak, they can begin developing basic reading skills. Very young children have a natural curiosity to learn about everything, and they are naturally intrigued by the printed texts they see, and are eager to learn about the sounds made by those letters. You will likely notice that your young child likes to look at books and thoroughly enjoys being read to. They will even pretend to behave like a reader by holding books and pretending to read them.

As parents, you're the most important first step in your children's journey into the wonderful world of reading. It is up to you to create the most supportive environment that turns your child on to reading - such as reading aloud to them often during the day and before bedtime, and placing age-appropriate books for children around the house so that the child will have access to plenty of books. Reading typically to your child will help develop their interest in books and stories, and soon they will want to read stories on their own.

With the help of parents, children can learn how to read. Make reading a family activity, and spend time playing word games and reading story books. This will not only help your child learn to read, but it'll also help them build a rich vocabulary, teach them language patterns, and help them fall in love with books and reading.

>> Click here to help your child learn to read!

By Stephen Andrews on Unsplash

Below are some tips to help you teach your child to read.

Talk to your child - before a child can learn to read, he or she must first learn to speak. Talk to your child about everything and anything - whatever interests them. Tell them stories, ask your child lots of questions, play rhyme games, and sing songs with them.

Read to your child consistently every day—we're all creatures of habit and enjoy having a daily routine. Set time aside each day to read to your child. Read to your child every night. Make this their “cool down” period before they go to sleep. This not only helps your child develop an interest in books and reading, but it also helps the parent bond with the child, and develop a healthy relationship.

Help your child develop reading comprehension—typically, parents will take the time to read to their children; however, many parents do not put much emphasis or thought on whether their children understand what they've just been read. Instead, occasionally, make an effort to question your child about what you've just read. For example, you read to your child:

"Jack and Jill went up the hill..."

You pause briefly and ask your child:

"So where did Jack and Jill go?" Or alternatively, "Who went up the hill?"

Young children may not catch on right away initially, and it may take a little practice, but they'll eventually catch on and begin to develop a deeper understanding of what they are reading. This is a very important step in helping your child develop reading comprehension. Of course, don't do this every single time you read, or your child will quickly get bored and lose interest. Do it at random times, and do not overdo it.

Help your child to read a wide variety of books and keep reading fun—There is no shortage of children's books, and you should always have a wide variety of children's books, stories, and rhymes available. Reading is a lot of fun, for both parents and children. Read to your child using drama and excitement, and use different voices. Give your child the option of choosing what book they want you to read, instead of picking the book you want to read to your child.

When reading to your child, read slowly, and point to the words that you are reading to help the child make a connection between the word you are saying and the word you are reading. Always remember that reading should be a fun and enjoyable activity for your children, and it should never feel like a “chore” for them.

The 65 Tested & Proven Lessons Teach Reading in A LOGICAL, SYSTEMATIC, AND SEQENTIAL Order, And Enables Any Child to Become a Fast & Fluent Reader.

how to

About the Creator

Parents Guide

Parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing & rewarding to watch your children grow up. Here are our tips for looking after your child while also looking after yourself.

https://linktr.ee/parentsguide

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.