When your child excels at reading, they are opening the doors for their own success. Good reading skills will help them with every subject in school, extracurricular activities, and adulthood.

Building great reading skills takes practice. It also takes some dedication by the parents to help the child develop a love for reading. It is not as hard as you may think. There are several little things that you can do to help your child improve their reading skills.

Make Sure They Are Reading At The Right Level

When you begin practicing reading, it is important to start at the right level. If the level is too easy or too hard, your child will not enjoy reading time. Get books that are at the right level to increase their reading level as they improve.

Make Sure That The Reading Is Interesting To Them

The best way to help your child learn to love to read is to give them something to read that they enjoy. The library is the best source for finding books in different categories. Your child can explore different topics and writing styles.

Going to the library is also a great way to have some time together. When you go together to get books, it is a special time for your child. Make sure to take advantage of other services at the library such as; family movie times, craft classes, and other fun events.

Lead By Example

If you want your child to see reading as something beneficial, fun, and even relaxing, you will need to take some time to read. If they see you taking a half hour to sit and read, they will want to copy your actions. This is especially true in very young children.

You can even use your reading time as a time for them to curl up with you and read with you. Have a snack, or make it a special quiet time for both of you. It will mean a lot to you and your children.

Read To Them At Bed Time

When you read to your young child at bedtime, you give them so many things all at once. You are creating a special time for the two of you. You are letting them relax to the sound of your voice, and you are allowing them to use their imagination to “see” what you are reading.

Your child will develop a larger vocabulary and have better reading comprehension skills when they hear you pronounce words and explain their meanings. Give them ways to use these new words by listening to how they are used in the stories.

Speak With A Reading Tutor

If your child is still struggling with reading, you may want to consider a reading tutor. Sometimes a child will respond to a tutor differently than their parent, because they see them as a teacher instead of a parent. Tutors provide skills and experience that may help your child become a strong reader. Then, reading time together will become even more fun for both of you.