Tips For Teaching Your Kid to Read, Part 2

This is a continuation of my last articled entitled, "Mistakes Parents Make when Teaching Their Kids to Read." I cut the last article short because I did not want it to be too extensive. If you are planning to introduce reading to your children you must approach the subject with eagerness and patience. There are many things that parents should avoid doing when teaching their children to read and those things are discussed below.

Avoid rushing through reading books. You should take reading very slowly making sure to go over every word so that your child understands it. This will require a significant amount of patience. You must be certain to read slowly and clearly.

Avoid forcing children to read material that is too dull and boring. Remember that reading is supposed to be fun. If you want your child to learn you have to present learning in a fun way. Don't pull out the Encyclopedia and say dig in. Simon & Schuster publishes character themed ready to read books such as Dora The Explorer. Scholasic also publishes easy reader books for young children.

Avoid encouraging children to give up when the word seems too hard. You should never encourage a child to give up. If the word looks extremely difficult let the child try it at least three times before intervening, this way they have a better chance of remembering the word when they come across it again. If you allow them to give up because it seems hard you are encouraging children not to try

Avoid underestimating a child's ability to read. The word may look challenging but never assume that it is too big for the child. The child will be the judge of that. In cases when the word seems too difficult, let the child lead. See what the children do first, if they attempt to read the word let them, but if they give up encourage them to try again by sounding out the word with them.

Avoid continuously bragging to others about your child's reading ability. If you continue to brag your child might feel pressure to always live up to these words which might cause her anxiety. You should of course show praise. There is a great difference between bragging and praising and it is important for you understand that difference.

Avoid making your child read for guests and friends. Some children do not mind being placed in the spotlight however; some children really dislike being placed in the spotlight. Calling upon your child to read is like calling upon your child to entertain and they might not feel comfortable with this. They may end up pretending to forget how to read just to avoid going through the process. If your child wants to show others what she can do then you should let her but never make her.

Lastly, do not force a child to read for extensive periods of time. Children can be shifty so you should not restrain them with reading for long periods of time. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day practicing to read is decent. You can start reading in small 5-10 minute intervals and slowly work up to 15 and 20 minute intervals. Remember you want reading to be fun not a laborious task.