How to Advance Your Child's Reading Level

Reading is by far one of the very most important skills a person can have. Without the skill of reading being strong children will not do as well as they could in school, or in life. An adult who can not read well will have a very hard time finding a job, and in most cases will receive a much lower pay rate than an adult who is a competent reader.

There are many children who are not reading as well as they could be. They lack comprehension. Spelling also goes along with reading. Many of the children who can not read well are not spelling well either. This is also an important skill needed in school, and in life. Reading skills can easily be improved. Reading is something that can be taught. The earlier you start teaching your children reading skills the better. Here are ten tips on doing just that...

1. The first tip that will help you to improve your child's reading skills is to take the time to do so and to put forth the effort. Children need help. We as parents can not expect our children to learn everything on their own. Young children who have not been exposed to books will not be familiar with books upon entering school. Parents need to step in an do the exposing. The time and effort you put into helping your child be a great reader pays off when your children are great readers.

2. The second tip that will help your child learn to read is to start reading to them and with them as young as possible. A newborn loves to be read to, did you know that? They love the sound of your voice and the way it changes with expression. They love the time you take to do something with them. Young children who are read to become school age children who are familiar with reading and love to do so. A preschool age child who reads with a parent daily will know how to navigate through a book. They will know if the text is upside down, where to begin reading the book, and how to turn the pages. Although they may not be able to read the actual words at age three or four they will still gain the understanding of how to read a book. The act of being able to navigate through a book properly is required for kindergarten.

3. The third tip that will help to make your child a better reader is to read with them. Sit down with your child in a comfortable spot and get that book ready. Children who are not reading yet benefit from a parent pointing to the words as they are reading them. Make sure your child is watching. Point to each word as you say it. It is best to use books with larger words for this. When you point to the word being said and your child is looking they are connecting the sight of the specific letters with the word being said. They'll see the letters c, a, and t, while hearing the word cat.

4. The fourth tip that will help to advance your child's reading level is to have your child read to you. Just telling your child to go and read a book does not improve their reading skills. In order to help your child improve as a reader you must hear them read and offer help when needed. As your child reads to you listen closely. Are they pronouncing words and sounds correctly? Are they adding in words or leaving words out? Are they calling one word another? The only way to know is to listen. Read along as your child reads to know, then offer correction as need be.

5. The fifth tip that will help your child advance in his or her reading is to be supportive. A great reader is a supported and encouraged reader. Learning to read can be tricky. Children often get frustrated and then end up not liking to read. Each time your child reads to you offer encouraging comments like "You read that well", or "Great job!" When a child feels good about reading they will learn more quickly, and also enjoy reading more.

6. The sixth tip that will help your child to become a better reader is to help them out with their spelling. When a child can't spell well they will not recognize many of the words in the text. Use spelling flashcards. Most schools have a list of sight words. These are also spelling words. The reason teachers want children to learn to spell these words is because these are the words most commonly used in text. When your child learn to spell their sight words they are learning to recognize them for the letters they are made up of. They will learn to read them at the same time.

7. The seventh tip that will help your child advance in their reading skills is to make sure they are reading books according to their skill level. A third or fourth grader who is still reading kindergarten material is not advancing. Books are generally rated by a skill level. There's early reader books all the way through advanced reading books. Making sure that your child is not reading books that are below their skill level will help them to advance their skill level. Keep moving them up. As they become stronger readers advance the level at which they are reading.

8. The eight tip that will help your children to become great readers is to offer many books. At my home there is a bookshelf. We have five kids and probably five hundred books. Children don't like to read the same things again and again. My firstborn rarely reads the same book twice. He's always on the lookout for new material to read. I have found that books are not that expensive if you search for good deals. Departments stores, book stores, flea markets, yard sales, thrift shops, and even the dollar stores are all great places to find cheap books.

9. The ninth tip that will help you to help your child be a great reader is to take them to the library. Kids just love libraries. There are so many books on so many topics that it makes them want to read them all. It is the wanting to read that helps them to succeed as readers. Most libraries are free. Take your child and sign up for a library card. Let them choose their books and you're set!

10. The tenth and final tip that I can offer you on helping your child to improve their reading skills is to follow the above tips. You will see an amazing difference in not only your child reading skills but also in their attitudes and grades. Thanks for reading and take care!