Do you want your child to read fluently? then this is for you. My son was reading aloud fluently, but I had read the book before and what he was saying was not in the book. I decided to sit beside him while he read, and that is when I noticed he had challenges reading. He used the pictures to guess the story; he could pick one or two words and make up the rest. I had to give him top marks for creativity. Lol, but he really was behind the level I expected him to be as far as reading is concerned. His blending and his phonics were not where they should be. I did an independent assessment and realized he needed to go back to the basics.

Children usually begin to read from the ages of 5 and 6. It’s a major developmental milestone that many parents wait for in anxious anticipation. Also, learning to read and read very well is crucial to your child’s development and success in school. If early literacy challenges are not addressed, they tend to follow the child to adulthood. I also need to mention that many parents put themselves under pressure – they want their children to start reading by age 3. Remember that each child is different and learns at a different pace. So no pressure. However, where your child has reading disabilities, early intervention is the best way to address it. Here are a few tips to help your child read fluently.

Read aloud to your child

This is the very best thing you can do to teach your child to read. Start early reading to your child. Make it a routine, read to them several times daily – ensure your reading is exciting and fun. Ask questions, discuss the pictures, point to letters and words, and enjoy the read-aloud time together.

Teach them Phonics

Learning phonics is a reading technique that helps kids learn the sounds that every letter in the alphabet represents. Phonics help kids with their vocabulary and pronunciation of words. This is a very important step that should not be missed when teaching your child to read.

Use songs and nursery rhyme to build phonemics

Singing and reciting nursery rhymes is playful, but it is one of the easiest way’s children get to learn to read. The rhyme and rhythm assist little children to pay attention to the sounds and syllables in words. It also helps build their vocabulary which facilitates their ability to read. This fun method is simply the best way children learn to read.

Make use of illustrations and big prints

Make simple word cards. Cut out simple cards and write a three letter word containing three sounds on each one (e.g. ram, sat, pig, top, sun, pot, fin). Invite your child to choose a card, then read the word together. Ask them to say the first sound they hear in the word, then the second, and then the third.

Play word games at home

Word games are excellent ways for children to learn to read. Focus on playing games that encourage children to identify and manipulate words. It helps them in forming new words and understanding their sounds. Play a guessing game with your child’s favourite words to help them identify the beginning words. For example, Cake starting with ‘C”. Also, you can hold up flashcards and get them to guess the beginning sounds or try to blend the sounds. Another game to play which children love is “I Spy”. Get them to identify beginning sounds/letters of things around them. You can also use fridge magnets to form three-letter words together. Many play-based learning activities teach and reinforce reading skills

Make use of technology to keep your child engaged

There are lots of fun apps and games that can help your child with reading. 9ijakids games have a number of games to encourage reading in a fun way, from sounds to sight words to reading short sentences.

Get them books for early readers

Once your child has mastered their sounds, it is then time to move them to learn various sight words as well as reading books. For my son, we used BOB Books and It is important to let your child occasionally select the book to read. This will make it more enjoyable for them because of their initial interest in the book.

Reading is an essential skill, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Every child learns at his or her own pace. It is important to make the process fun and engaging for the child. By reading regularly, mixing things up with different activities will help instil a love of reading which aids the learning process. It is also important that you are a role model – children are more likely to develop an interest in reading if their parents read as well.