Recently I spoke with a friend whose child was struggling with reading. I asked what the problem was and the parent said he just didn’t know. This is not an uncommon response from parents of young readers. Usually, a parent has no idea how to help their child because they haven’t figured out the problem. And even if they did know the problem, they don’t have the training to help their child. But here’s the thing, as a parent, you don’t have to know the problem to help your child. All you need to know is how to get your child engaged to read. In the next few blog installments, I will share with you some simple but fun ways to encourage your child to read that you can begin immediately! Not every skill or strategy will work for your child, but the key is trying them to encourage better reading habits and skills.
The Interest Game
The first thing every parent must do to encourage reading is to play the Interest Game. How can you get a child to read when you don’t know what they might like? The first step in playing the game is to go to a library or book store and explore the Children’s Section (start in the picture book section for K-2.) Here are the rules:
- Your child can pick out any book he/she finds interesting (Limit the book amount by their age: 5yrs old = 5 books) DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE READING LEVEL
- Find a cozy corner and plunk down with the books
- Have your child open a book and let them look at the inside. Encourage your child to talk about what they see. DO NOT DISCUSS WORDS/TEXT. DON’T BE TOO PUSHY… IF THEY DON’T WANT TO TALK… LET IT GO.
- If they immediately shut a book, don’t worry about it. It simply means they are not interested in it.
- Go through each book enjoying each and talking about what you see.
- Once the books are finished, tell your child they may pick their two favorite Titles to take home.(You can do one at a time but we are aiming at ten total books)
- I suggest the parent begin a reading list of the books brought home to find the theme of interest.
- Continue playing the Interest Game until you have ten books at home.
- Now read the next blog in the Series: A Picture Walk
