One of the questions I hear most from parents of young students is, “I don’t know how to teach reading!” Teaching a child to read is not all that difficult, and it’s important to remember that reading/writing (and spelling) all go hand in hand.
I am going to talk about five simple things that you MUST DO to help your kids become proficient readers, writers and spellers. I have used these methods for years, both as a public and private school teacher, and as a homeschooling mom. Some links below are affiliate links. When I link to a product, you can be sure that I have used it myself and highly recommend it, or that I have heard such wonderful things about it, that I have to recommend it to you. As always, any proceeds made from my affiliate links go toward the upkeep of this site.
Five Simple Things You Can Do Today to Help Your Kids Become Amazing Readers
1. Read Aloud to Your Kids
Do this as soon as, and as often as you can. The benefits are endless. If you are the kind of person who wants to learn more about the research, this book by Jim Trelease is amazing.
2. Model Reading Yourself
Countless studies have shown that children from families who read, ENJOY reading. These children do not see reading as just “another subject” to tackle.
3. Label Things in Your Environment
Place a sentence strip like this one on every-day objects around the house. For example, you might want to label the “door”, “table”, “books”, “bathroom”, “bed”, etc. Post a color chart and a number chart in a visible place where your child can see them every day. Before you know it, your child will know how to spell these important words without you ever having to give them a spelling test! (I am not, and never have been, a fan of spelling “lists” and tests.) The research proves why.
4. Teach Phonics
Yes. Do it. There is a continual debate among educators about phonics: whether to teach in context or in isolation; to teach in the early years only, or continue through middle school; to not teach at all and use a “sight word only” approach instead… Here’s my experience as an educator for over twenty years: Teach phonics. Teach phonics, BUT do NOT leave out steps #1, #2 and #3 above. The simplest of approaches when you teach phonics is often the best. We loved the BOB Books, and these little readers from CHC. I have also heard good things about the Life of Fred readers (link below.)
We used the All About Spelling program and loved this. It is a fun, multi-sensory program which teaches phonics and spelling patterns. We did not use the All About Reading program, but I have heard absolutely wonderful things about this, which is why I am adding it here. The product links are above. Check them out. These were created by an educator and mother of a son with severe dsylexia.
5. Make it fun
Please, I beg of you, do not treat reading as another “subject” that you “have to do every day.” Nothing can turn a kid off from reading like that. Play with letters and words and create stories together using fun table-top pocket charts like this one which focuses on beginning sounds, this one which is all about word families, or this one which focuses on ending and vowel sounds. After you have fun with these, you can create your own stories together using story strips like these. When I was teaching in the elementary classroom, I used large versions of all of these types of pocket charts. They even sell these for math concepts, which I’ll post about another time. Kids love being active learners! Let them move about, manipulate objects and learn to read and spell all while having FUN!
Use sight word flash cards like these Fry Sight Words First 100 Flash Cards.
I am around a 19 month old and he already knows his ABCs and can count to 10! We give him alphabets and numbers and put it around the house because he enjoys picking out the letters and saying them and I am sure soon we will be teaching him words to read!
That is natural learning at its finest! Great job!
Oh yes! The perfect post. I do not think there is a more important thing for kids that teaching them the love of reading and books. Great work. Thank you!
Thanks, Verla! 😀
It would be great if all families could/would take time to make reading fun. Great tips! Thank you for putting it out there.
Thanks, Georgette. I had parents who loved to read, so it’s hard for me to understand why families wouldn’t want to share books with their kids!
Reading aloud is huge! It’s built-in snuggle time with the kids too!
Yes! One of the best perks of reading with your kids!
Reading is such a beautiful art. Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips!
My pleasure!
Reading is so important and can be a really healthy outlet as adults, so I love these tips. I think when kids become better readers they enjoy it much more. 🙂
I agree, Sarah!
Thanks for sharing these ideas! I know it’s an electronic, but I have found great site-word apps as well for the iPhone. This makes a good break and reward for time spent learning and while they think they are playing a cool game, they are doing more learning!
Very true, Kristi Ann!
I love this and am going to try doing some of these things. Love the labeling idea. When I was younger I would say I hated reading. I always picked books below my reading level. I think this will help my kids a lot. My daughter loves to learn. Great tips, thanks!
I’m happy this was helpful for you, Monica! I would also add: it’s okay if kids choose books below their reading level if they are reading a lot just for the joy of it. They can stretch themselves with books on level and slightly higher with your help.
My kids and I were always huge readers. I used to think everyone was that way until I started meeting people who didn’t even own a book.
I understand, Laura!
Love your tips! I totally agree that phonics is a huge help with most kids! And modeling reading is my favorite!!! 🙂
Thanks, Jennifer!
These are great tips. I’m a special education teacher and I learned a lot about helping kids learn how to read when I was getting my degree. Now I have a 3 year old and she loves to read. We read a few books every night before going to bed, I try modeling reading to her, and we work on phonics. I have forgotten about labeling things in her environment thought. I’ll have to start doing that.
Let me know how your students like the labeling. Mine always did, especially the little ones, and my ESL students. 😀
Reading is so important especially as a developing child. Thanks for sharing these 5 awesome tips!
You’re welcome!
Yes. Teaching phonics to my Japanese students is key for them to learn to read english. So is reading out loud. So many people don’t understand the benefits of these teo things
So true, Dee! These strategies work for anyone learning to read. Even adults!
Start ’em young! It will bring them a lifetime of joy!
Yep!
Labeling things! What a great easy idea that I told never did with my kids! Grandkids maybe ?
🙂
My parents read to me, and I started reading to my kids when they were very young. I know it has made a difference! thanks for sharing
It really does!
I can really use these tips as my kiddo is about the age where we can start adding these things in his routine. Great post.
Thanks, Aashima! I hope these tips are helpful for you both!
I taught my daugther to read, but now she is resistant to doing it daily. I don’t want her to lose it, but I do need to make it fun now! Thanks for the encouragmenet!
You’re welcome, Jamie! Let your daughter read for pleasure, on any topic that she chooses!
I miss reading with my little ones. I would do it still if my teens would let me!
Right?! I still love to read aloud to my girls, but the time we find for doing it seems to be dwindling!
Great tips! Teaching your kids how to read is incredibly important!
Thanks, Susan!
Great tips! My children are teenagers now but I will pass this on to my niece who have a 2 year old.
Reading aloud is great for teens, too!
This is great! I was a great reader as a kid cause my parents inspired me to read a lot, it still helps me in everyday life
I’ve never thought about labeling things for the kids but this is a great idea. In fact, all of your ideas are. I’ll have to start implementing them in our days.
I really love this article. I love to read books from childhood. I have to admit my parents definitely contributed to my love of books.
You were blessed by them, Annreeba.
I love this! I read to my kids all the time. Most of the time I read to my youngest while training him to go potty! But my oldest has learned how to read so quickly! Actually love your labeling idea I can’t wait to use it!
Thanks, Sara! You brought back a memory for me: my first daughter’s potty chair had a little holder on the side for her books!
As an elementary school teacher, I cannot stress the importance of reading at home with your child on a daily basis and TALKING with them about what you read together. Thank you for sharing these suggestions!
YES, Shannon! To me, reading together (and discussing books) was one of the best parts of being an elementary teacher (and one of the best parts of teaching my girls to read.)
These are some great tips, I have to admit my parents definitely contributed to my love of books, I always had my head in a book as a kid!
Me too Sarah. I have some precious memories of my mom and I reading books.
My relatives always read to me when I was little and my mom loves to read, so I got super into books at a young age. It really does work . . . I was reading actual sentences at age 4!
You were a lucky child, Ann!
Thanks we are just considering home education so this is a topic really important to us. One of my main considerations is indeed because school have made reading a chore rather than fun.
Exactly, pinkoddy, schooling should be fun! Homeschooling is a very wonderful opportunity.
I love this article! Too often parents think that it is the teachers’ job alone to teach. It def takes a village!
Thanks, Dee Dee! It absolutely does!