Improve
Kids' Reading -- Even Without Books
by Fran Santoro Hamilton
Parents
want their children to be strong readers. They see reading ability as
the ticket to a good college and a successful life. The first problem,
however, may be getting children to read at all. The
best way to encourage reading is to make it enjoyable. Like the rest of
us, children are likely to spend more time at activities they enjoy.
Then they excel in those areas that command their time.
Some
children, however, have such a strong aversion to reading that they
can't start the upward spiral. Many of the following suggestions for
parents will help these children improve vital comprehension skills --
even without a book in their hands. This can jump-start children's
enjoyment of reading.
Emphasize the importance of communication by modeling and expecting good
listening. Be sure you have your child's attention before giving
important information.
Encourage your child to talk with you -- to share ideas, to ask
questions. Prompt your child in order to probe more deeply or to clarify
thinking.
Help your child to recognize that things are not equally important. Help
him identify relationships -- similarities, opposites, sequence, cause,
examples, etc.
Make vocabulary study a family activity.
Do not push young children to read. They may learn to read using a part
of the brain that will stunt reading ability forever.
Read. Read to your child, with your child, in front of your child. Show
that you value reading for both information and enjoyment.
Read some of the books or topics your child is reading so you can share
ideas.
If you are reading to or with your child, pause occasionally to ask
questions about the story. Include questions that dont have right and
wrong answers.
Help your child compare what is read with his own experience. Look for
both differences and similarities.
If your child enjoys being read to but doesn't like to read, have him
evaluated by a developmental optometrist. A physical problem might be
making reading uncomfortable.
Lead your reluctant reader to books on topics of interest to him.
Ignore oral errors if meaning is correct.
If your child seems unaware of an error that changes or destroys
meaning, ask at the end of the sentence, "Did that make
sense?"
Provide a variety of experiences for your child (these do not all need
to cost money). Many comprehension problems arise because a child lacks
background information.
Do not force your child to read a particular book.
Do not require that your child read every word of a book.
Encourage your child to have a question in mind when reading for
information.
Provide practical reading experiences, such as reading directions or a
recipe. Ask your child whether the writing could have been improved.
If your child tends to ramble, occasionally have him stop, identify his
main point, and deliver it concisely.
For
recommended reading lists and suggestions of things parents can do to
help their children succeed in school, visit http://www.GrammarAndMore.com
.
Hands-On English offers
additional tips for efficient reading and studying.
Fran
Santoro Hamilton may be contacted at http://www.GrammarAndMore.com
Fran@GrammarAndMore.com. A
parent and former teacher, Fran Hamilton is the author of Hands-On English, which gives quick access to English fundamentals
and uses icons for parts of speech (for anyone 9 years or older,
including adults). Fran also publishes LinguaPhile
(a free monthly e-mail newsletter for people who teach and/or enjoy
English) and Acu-Write (a free
weekly e-mail tip sheet for people who want to improve their writing of
English). Both are available through Yahoo Groups.
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