Top Tips to help your child read
Why is Reading so important?
Research by the Institute of Education (IOE) in 2013 found that reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development between ages 10 and 16 than their parents’ level of education.
The combined effect on children’s progress of reading books often, going to the library regularly and reading about the news (either online or in newspapers) at 16 was four times greater than the advantage children gained from having a parent with a degree.
Children who were read to regularly by their parents at age 5 performed better in all three tests at age 16 than those who were not helped in this way.
What difference can I make as a parent?
You can make a huge difference! Parents are the most important educators in a child’s life – even more important than their teachers – and it’s never too early to start reading together.
Further evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.
Reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.
‘Read On. Get On.’ is a national campaign from Save The Children aimed at getting all children in the UK reading well by the age of 11. Watch their powerful film here
Starting young makes a difference.
Even before they’re born, babies learn to recognise their parents’ voices. Reading to your baby from birth, even for just a few minutes a day, gives them the comfort of hearing your voice and increases their exposure to language.
Building vocabulary and understanding
Learning to read is about listening and understanding as well as working out what’s printed on the page. Through hearing stories, children are exposed to a wide range of words. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to read. It’s important for them to understand how stories work too. Even if your child doesn’t understand every word, they’ll hear new sounds, words and phrases which they can then try out, copying what they have heard.
For further support about reading with infants read this.
For further support about Grammar terms and definitions (A good reader = a good writer) see this guidance document: Grammar definitions and help guide
As children start to learn to read at school, you can play an important role in helping to keep them interested in books. Find out what interests them, help them to find books that will be engaging and fun, and spend time reading the books they bring home from school together.
Reading is like swimming.
Getting your 10-metre certificate is not the end of your swimming career. It’s the beginning. Once you can use a stroke or two to propel yourself along, you can strike out, build up your swimming stamina and enjoy the water. Perhaps in time you’ll swim the Channel or compete in the Olympics. The possibilities are endless but not if you hardly ever go in the water.
To become confident deep-end readers, children have to practise all the time. Otherwise they will slip backwards and even the decoding skills will dull. Real readers go on getting better at it throughout their lives.
And the best place for a child to do that essential daily practice is at home.
Quick watch videos to support your reading awareness
Commonly asked questions:
My child is not an independent reader yet. What is the best way to read with them?
- Set aside some time
Find somewhere quiet without any distractions – turn off the TV/radio/computer. - Ask your child to choose a book
Sharing books they have chosen shows you care what they think and that their opinion matters. This means they are more likely to engage with the book. - Sit close together
Encourage your child to hold the book themselves and/or turn the pages. Read some get them to read some. Don’t force your child to read. Allow them to enjoy the story and to develop a love of books. - Point to the pictures
If there are illustrations, relate them to something your child knows. Ask them to describe the characters or situation or what will happen next. Encourage them to tell you the story by looking at the pictures. - Encourage your child to talk about the book
Talking about the characters and their dilemmas helps children understand relationships and is an excellent way for you to get to know each other or discuss difficult issues. Give your child plenty of time to respond. Ask them what will happen next, how a character might be feeling, or how the book makes them feel. Get them to summarise a paragraph or chapter. - And lastly, above all – make it fun!
It doesn’t matter how you read with a child, as long as you both enjoy the time together. Don’t be afraid to use funny voices: children love this!
I’m really busy, I don’t have lots of time for reading so what can I do?
Just ten minutes a day can make a huge difference to your child’s reading. That’s all it takes! Even in a traffic jam your child could be doing a bit of reading to you.
Look for words everywhere, when you are out and about – on signs, posters, even on the subtitles on the TV – it all counts towards building that reading environment, and forming those reading habits.
My child hates books, what can I do?
Create a positive book-filled environment, and don’t expect a quick fix! Don’t be negative about comics and magazines, words are words and a comic might just tip a negative child over into positive. It’s a slow process to shift attitudes, but more than worth it.
Also; remember that the adult controls how much gaming/internet time a child can have.
I’m convinced my child has dyslexia, what should I do?
Firstly, make an appointment with our Special Educational Needs Coordinator. Before you go, make specific notes about your child’s problems with reading and writing, but don’t be tempted to look it all up online as this will probably not be helpful.
All children are different and some come to reading much later than others – this does not necessarily mean they are dyslexic.
Read this ‘Guide to help choose books for reluctant readers and readers with dyslexia’
My child is reading the same books over and over, how can I stop them?
Most children go through a period of this, it’s completely normal behaviour. Let them do, it but encourage them to find time to fit new books in as well. Talk to a librarian and ask for books that are in the same style of the ones that they are hooked on.
Encouraging a child to see reading as a pleasurable part of their lives takes time and patience, but that’s no reason you shouldn’t all enjoy it. It takes time to form the best habits of all, but it’s worth it!
