During this last round of parent-teacher conferences, many parents asked me what they could be doing at home to help their children become better readers. The simple answer is that the more they read, the stronger they will be as readers. But what can you do if your child doesn't enjoy reading? Particularly if your child is a reluctant reader, he or she is unlikely to want to read more at home, and getting in extra reading time can be a struggle.
One GREAT solution to this problem is to read aloud to your child. Even children who don't enjoy reading to themselves often love listening to adults read. It can be a time to bond with your child, and provides all kinds of learning benefits. Children can listen to books at a higher level than they are able to read to themselves. Listening to higher-level books improves comprehension, expands vocabulary, and exposes children to the more formal and complex language of books. When you show that you are excited about reading aloud to your child, you are providing an advertisement for books and reading. Children who have enjoyed listening to stories will be much more inclined to voluntarily read to themselves.
Here is an article about reading aloud with children of all ages:
Reading Aloud with Children of All Ages
Here is another article about reading aloud to your child:
Reading Aloud to Your Child
And here is one more article on the benefits of reading aloud even to older kids:
The Hidden Benefits of Reading Aloud
Here is a brochure from Reading is Fundamental:
RIF's Guide to Reading Aloud to Your Children
One GREAT solution to this problem is to read aloud to your child. Even children who don't enjoy reading to themselves often love listening to adults read. It can be a time to bond with your child, and provides all kinds of learning benefits. Children can listen to books at a higher level than they are able to read to themselves. Listening to higher-level books improves comprehension, expands vocabulary, and exposes children to the more formal and complex language of books. When you show that you are excited about reading aloud to your child, you are providing an advertisement for books and reading. Children who have enjoyed listening to stories will be much more inclined to voluntarily read to themselves.
Here is an article about reading aloud with children of all ages:
Reading Aloud with Children of All Ages
Here is another article about reading aloud to your child:
Reading Aloud to Your Child
And here is one more article on the benefits of reading aloud even to older kids:
The Hidden Benefits of Reading Aloud
Here is a brochure from Reading is Fundamental:
RIF's Guide to Reading Aloud to Your Children
Infographic from ReadAloud.org