Help your child develop a love of reading

Knowledge is a gift that parents can give their children from an early age.

According to Pampers parenting expert Sister Yolande Mpilo, this is why it is important for parents to help their children develop a love for reading before they start school.

She noted that while there isn’t a specific or correct age to start teaching your children how to read, there are great benefits. “From birth, babies are developing new skills, including comprehension. However, around three years old, parents can start introducing the concept of reading, starting with something as simple as learning to say their name.”

Life’s greatest secrets are embedded in books and the key to unlocking them has always been reading. Reading better equips children for when the time comes to start their schooling career.

“Reading is also brain-stimulating. The amount of time they spend concentrating on a book teaches them how to focus on things for a longer span, it helps increase their tolerance in paying attention,” Mpilo said.

A challenge parents face is how to get their children to start reading without them feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious.

“Learning to read is one of the most challenging skills a child will learn, so parents are required to be a little bit more patient and creative in this process.”

Mpilo recommended the following to parents:

Context:

Understanding the context of what your child is reading can be complex when they first begin.

“Parents could start with teaching them their names, as it is easy and familiar. This will help get them used to how letters look, the sound, and feel. By calling out the letters individually, they slowly understand that when letters are put together, they make up their name,” she said.

Blending:

After understanding how each letter sounds, and then a complete word, parents can move on to teaching children how to blend words to form a sentence. This will slowly help them make sense of what they read.

Building vocabulary:

Building a vocabulary means you will have to introduce your child to more words that they are not familiar with.

Writing:

Encourage them to write the sounds of letters mentioned above – this is called ‘encoding’ and works alongside the reading process.

Play ‘I spy’:

There is a term called ‘environmental print’, which refers to the print that appears in signs, labels, and logos. An example would be street signs and the ‘M’ in McDonald’s seen at their restaurants. Play a game of ‘I spy’ whenever you’re out with your child, this technique helps build a connection between letters and reading.

Make reading a family affair:

Take advantage of the fact that children like to mimic the behaviour of their parents. Pick up reading material and encourage your child to do the same. This is positive reinforcement of the act of reading. Reading together also builds a special bond between parents and their kids.

Parents should also take time to ask questions while reading a book with their children. It’s not only a great way to encourage them to interact with the book but also positively affects their comprehension skills.

“It’s important to remember that children have different temperaments, parents should exercise patience when teaching them to read. If a method or technique doesn’t work for a child, be flexible and explore alternative solutions. The idea is to make it fun and engaging for them,” said Mpilo.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/291627/the-many-benefits-of-reading-out-aloud-to-your-big-child/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/286855/all-about-reading-paper-books-vs-e-books-to-your-child/