How to build your reading skills

Children become aware about reading even before they formally learn to read. In fact, very young children learn to read by observing people around them. When they see parents reading newspapers, books, maps, and signs it sends out a message that reading is an enjoyable activity.

Studies show that young children feel a sense of warmth and security when they are read to. This encourages them to develop a liking towards reading.

When you are reading to a child, use your index finger to indicate the line of text that you are reading. This helps children to take note of words and they start realizing that words carry meaning. They also become aware that one reads from left to right, that words come together to form sentences and that one reads from the top to bottom in a page.

Reading helps in developing vocabulary in children of all age groups. Children learn new words and understand what they mean when used in the context of literature.

In the initial years children keep learning how to read. Reading skills come naturally to some children while others struggle through the process. As a parent however you should put undue stress on the process of learning to read. Allow children to develop their reading skills by providing reading matter that arouses their natural curiosity. Overemphasis on learning to read, makes reading into a chore rather than a leisure time activity.

Parents themselves serve as role models. When children see parents reading, their natural instinct is to imitate their parents. This makes children develop a positive attitude towards reading. Studies show that children who enjoy reading, develop their reading skills faster. This also leads to faster development of writing skills. In fact reading and writing skills are complementary to each other.

While selecting books for children to read parents should ensure that they are colorful, attractive and simple to understand. The age group and reading ability of the child should be considered before choosing a book. Books for younger children should have more pictures and less text. The font sizes of the text should be large.

Once you find that your child is able to read independently, you should allow them to read by themselves. This way they develop their very own reading style which later helps them in comprehension. To avoid learning problems later on, children should be encouraged to recognize the connection between words that are spoken and those that are written.

Word recognition can be made stronger through regular reading. The more your child reads, the more they will be able to develop both reading and related skills.

Make children understand that words are formed from letters of the alphabet. Parents should guide their children so that they develop a familiarity with the letters of the alphabet and also understand how words can be formed from them.

Reading should never be a stressful activity for children. It should be an enjoyable experience, which is the best way to motivate children to develop their reading skills.