Learning to read can be a challenging adventure for some children. Everyone, from a child’s teacher to Mom, Dad, and even Grandma, is excited and waiting for the child to learn to read. All the pressure and expectations from the adults can surely put a damper on the excitement for the child. This loss of excitement can lead to a child who loses the desire to read. If parents can find ways to make reading fun, our children will be more willing to sit down and read a book together.
Here are a few ideas you can do to make reading fun for your child.
Popcorn Reading
While reading a book together, each of you turns reading aloud. When the one reading says the word “popcorn,” it is the other person’s turn to read. This is a fun way for a child to read the terms they know and pass on the words, causing frustration.
Reading Buddy
Pair your reader up with an older “reading buddy” and have them read a book out loud together. We all had times when an explanation of something made more sense coming from one of our peers or a sibling. Having an older reading buddy allows your child to practice reading without an adult’s watchful eye, causing possible nervousness.
Highlight Heaven
Grab an older book and a highlighter, and have your child highlight every word they can read on the page. After all the words your child knows are highlighted on the page, take a moment and have your child look and see how many words they can read. This is quite a confidence booster.
Flashlight Reading
Before your child is too tired at the end of the day, take some time and read in a dark room. Take a flashlight with you and read the book with a flashlight. Little boys especially like this one.
Secret Hideout
What child hasn’t built a fort at one time or another? If you don’t already have a stronghold in your house or outside, help your child create one. It can be a blanket fort, a plywood fort outside, a treehouse, or even a simple under-to-bed fort. (Make sure you both can fit. Getting out once you’ve gotten in is helpful, too!) Bring your child’s favorite reading book, get comfortable, and read away.
Make a “reading corner” somewhere in your home. Let your child be a part of decorating it and picking just the right spot to place it. Add some bean bags or pillows, maybe a favorite poster on the wall, or even some family pictures.
Take a break and just read to your child sometimes
No explanation is needed here.
Picture Detective
Have your child flip through a book, look at all the pictures, and tell you what they think will happen in the story. Please read the story and see how close they were.
Pop-up word
Pick one word your child particularly has a hard time with and every time your child reads that word, both of you stand up. This will help them remember the word because an action is associated with it. This works particularly well with kinesthetic learners. (A child who wants to move constantly and likes to touch and feel everything.)
Star of the Story
Have you ever seen a personalized storybook where your child’s name is printed in the story? This is a unique way to get your reluctant reader excited about a book. In these kinds of books, your child’s name and the names of their friends are printed in the storyline, making your child the star of their very own book! They will have to read the book to find out what adventure they will have! How motivating is that?
There, you have ten fantastic ways to make reading more exciting potentially! Try each idea in the list above, and see if it clicks with your child. If you do find a new method that works, stick to it! Reading will never be boring again!