Reading guides us all through life and will give us a lot of expertise in our writing and speech in the future. It’s important therefore to make your child enjoy reading and have the opportunity to explore different books.

In this guide from a prep school in Surrey, we take a look at the top tips you can use to help your child learn to read.

A toddler sitting on a chair, wearing big glasses — Credit: Unsplash.

Pick up new ways absorb words

A child may fall behind in their reading ability due to their understanding of new words. It’s a good way to give your child that freedom to pick up new things and explore contexts to different words and phrases, tenses and more.

Try out lots of ways to spell things out, like spelling games, activities and other ways to keep your child focused on exploring new adjectives and verbs. This is the cornerstone of a child’s development and will help them enjoy reading a lot more.

Look at different genres when it comes to reading

Your child can’t be in the same rut each week when it comes to reading similar stories. Alternatively they might enjoy that, but it’s worth looking into lots of different kinds of reading material to see what will entice your child and what won’t.

It’s good to keep an eye on what interests your child already has and lean on those when it comes to reading. It’s important to keep your child stimulated through all that they read up on, and it’s worth the time and effort for your child to enjoy what they’re reading about each week.

Take your child to the library

A library is teeming with information your child can easily absorb. There’s a lot there for your child to really explore, which is where you can let your child run wild with what they could pick out. A library is also a calming environment with minimal noise and plenty of time to pick up books to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Use phonics and plenty of practice

Teach phonics to help your child understand the relationship between letters and sounds. Start with simple letter sounds and gradually introduce more complex phonetic patterns. Encourage regular reading practice to build fluency and confidence. Set aside time each day for reading together and provide opportunities for independent reading.

There are many Phonics programs to choose from, so here’s a few to start with. Try not to get too overwhelmed and pick the one you think will suit your kid best.

Explode the Code: This program offers a series of workbooks that focus on phonics and decoding skills. It provides sequential, skill-building exercises to help children develop phonemic awareness and reading fluency. (US-based).

Jolly Phonics: Jolly Phonics uses a multi-sensory approach to teach phonics through songs, actions, and stories. It introduces phonemes and corresponding letter sounds in a structured, systematic way, making it suitable for both classroom and homeschool settings. (UK-Based)

Reading Eggs: Reading Eggs is an online literacy program that incorporates phonics instruction, sight word recognition, and reading comprehension activities. It includes interactive lessons, games, and e-books designed to engage young learners and support their reading development. (UK-Based).

Make learning to read fun

Use games, songs, and interactive activities to make learning to read enjoyable. Incorporate elements like rhyming, word puzzles, and storytelling to keep them engaged. Point out words in everyday situations, such as on signs, labels, and menus. This helps reinforce the connection between reading and the world around them.

Think about how your child learns

Adapt your teaching approach to suit your child's learning style and preferences. Some children may respond better to visual aids, while others may benefit from hands-on activities.

Remember, the goal is to foster a love of reading that will last a lifetime. By making reading enjoyable and providing plenty of support and encouragement, you can help your child develop strong literacy skills.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.