4 Ways to Teach a Child to Read. . .

4 Ways to Teach a Child to Read

1. Teach the Alphabet

Learning the alphabet is the first step in learning to read. Children can start to recognize letters around the age of 2. Identifying the letters in child's name is a good start, as they probably have seen their names written repeatedly by that age. Learning the alphabet song is also age appropriate,but kids won't know what they are singing about unless you link each letter to a visual representation. Alphabet toys, including bath sponges, refrigerator magnets and blocks, can introduce different letters and let your child start to spell out simple words like "cat" and "dog." This teaches children that letters make up words, even if they cannot read the words yet.

2. Read Aloud Together

A daily reading routine with your child can teach the skills needed to learn to read. At the ages of 2-3 years old, your child will begin to associate words on the page with spoken words, even if they are more interested in the pictures. They will begin to understand the concept of reading through your modeling the behavior.

At ages 3-4 years old, children can start to comprehend the different elements of vocabulary: sentence structure and story elements. At this point, you should discuss the books you read together. Ask questions like, "This says that the girl was joyful?" What does joyful mean?
Choose books that relate to things your child is familiar with, such as having brothers & sisters,or visiting with the grandparents. Your child will understand more of a story to that they can personally connect. Character books are good because the child becomes attached to the character and more interested in the story.

3. Make the Reading and Writing Connection

Part of learning to read is learning to write. Children do not typically have the motor skills or intellect to write until around the age of 4. At that point, you can start teaching how to write the letters of the alphabet, beginning with the letters in your child's name. You can help the child write a letter to grandmaa. Write out the words as your child dictates. Afterwards, read back what was written to show the connection. You can even point to each word as you read to strengthen the relationship between written words and spoken words.

4.Identify Words With Objects

Labeling different objects with their words can teach the concept of reading to children. Around your house, you can label the television, the refrigerator, doors, stairs, bookshelves and walls. When children associate written words with objects,then they are almost reading.
A way to reinforce this is to lift the labels, then have your child replace them where they go. For older children, flashcards with pictures take this concept even further.