Many parents find it difficult to teach their children to read without realizing the reasons why.
More often than not, difficulties arise because of inflated expectations. The desire to teach a child to read by the age of three or comparing his or her progress with «gifted» peers destroys any aspirations
But it's not just these mistakes in learning to read that can prevent a child from loving the process.
Mistake 1: Starting before the nervous system matures
The most common mistake is to force learning until the child is ready.
A child is ready to read when:
- can pronounce all sounds clearly
- he has an auditory memory
- he can distinguish even similar sounds
- he has an interest in reading
If you start early, reading in children turns into mechanical memorization without understanding the meaning.
Wait until you are naturally ready - the development of reading skill will go faster and more effectively.
Mistake 2: Emphasize speed over understanding
Parents rejoice - «he read the page in a minute»! But they don't check if he understands the content.
This approach forms the habit of «swallowing» the text with your eyes without looking at the meaning. Instead of asking «How many words did you read?» ask: «What was that line about?».
Read together, discuss the pictures before the text, ask simple questions as you go along.
Speed comes by itself through practice, and meaningfulness needs to be laid down from the first steps.
Mistake 3: Turning reading into punishment
«If you don't read, you won't go for a walk», «First read a page, then cartoons». Such phrases associate a book with restriction of freedom.
The result: the child doesn't want to read even his favorite stories.
Reading should be a pleasure, not a condition for getting joy.
Create an evening ritual of reading together. When a child sees that parents enjoy reading themselves, they copy this behavior naturally.
Mistake 4: Choosing inappropriate books
What happens if you make a first grader read a long adult novel with lots of obscure words? It's a sure way to give up reading.
Choose your books age-appropriate and his preferences. Only in this way will the child become genuinely interested in reading.
Mistake 5: Criticize every mistake
Constant corrections create a fear of making mistakes. The child freezes, begins to spell with pauses.
Rule of thumb: correct no more than 1-2 times per page, and only if the error distorts the meaning. It is better after reading gently: «Let's read this word again - it's difficult, but you can do it». Support is more important than perfect technique at the beginning.
How to help your child love reading
Turn reading into a game, not a lesson. Read expressively, change the voices of the characters, use finger theater. Create a «reader's corner» with a comfortable chair and a basket of books. You can add healthy goodies, too. Go to the library as an adventure - let the child choose the books himself. The main thing is your example.
A great way to improve your reading skill -reading school from Palme School.
Ready to start the journey to reading with professionals? Palme School of Reading is waiting for your child. Sign up for a trial lesson and see how reading becomes a joy.
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