10 Best Ways to Teach Kids How to Read at Home

Most children adore books and are thrilled to dive into fairy tales and adventures. However, the ability to read is a prerequisite for such enjoyment. How can we teach kids to read? What methods should we employ? How should we structure the educational process? In this discussion, we will explore when and how to teach reading to kids and reveal the best ways to teach kids how to read.

When should we teach a child to read?

Early childhood development enthusiasts advocate for the best way to teach a child how to read as early as 1.5 years old. On the other hand, speech therapists and experts in developmental disorders suggest introducing letters only after children can confidently speak in sentences, typically around the age of three. If a child has speech therapy issues that affect speech melody and rhythm, it is advisable to delay reading instruction until they are speaking correctly.

When is the optimal time to teach a child to read? In order to read with confidence and speed, a child must develop phonemic awareness, which is the ability to recognize sounds. They should also have a good sense of spatial orientation and avoid confusion between "left" and "right." Furthermore, it is important not to rush reading instruction for restless children, even if it is merely a reflection of their temperament and not a diagnosis of ADHD made by specialists.

It is not recommended to forcefully teach a child to read by insisting they sit with a book or scolding them for incorrect pronunciation. If a child is not yet showing interest in reading, it's best to take a break. Sooner or later, they will tire of merely looking at illustrations and develop a desire to understand the written words.

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The 10 best ways to teach a child how to read

Now let's delve into the steps on how to teach a child to read. If you aspire to learn how to teach your child how to read, follow these ten tips to guide them on their reading journey, structure the learning process effectively, and achieve your goal as quickly as possible:

1. Initiate learning when the child shows an interest in books

Avoid forcing or asserting that books are their best friends, as a child between the ages of 5 and 6 may not grasp the meaning behind such a statement. Instead, provide them with a wide selection of colorful books with captivating plots. Genuine interest serves as the best motivation for learning.

2. Equip yourself with the necessary materials

How do you teach a kid to read? Purchase letter cubes, primers, copybooks, and draw letter shapes such as sticks, circles, and other elements alongside them. Mastering writing and reading concurrently is more effective.

3. Establish a regular exercise routine, but keep sessions brief

Even a 30-minute lesson can exhaust a child. Therefore, if you notice their concentration waning, take a break or resume the task the following day.

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4. Illustrate and cut out letters

Assign the color blue to vowels and red to consonants. This color contrast helps children differentiate between vowels and consonants and comprehend the principles of word formation. It is an ideal method to teach a child to read at home.

5. Scatter blocks or cards with letters around the house

What other options exist that may help better understand how to teach a child to read? Arrange cards with letters near objects that begin with those letters. Within a few days, the child will quickly learn the alphabet through association: a – album, b – boat, c – cat, etc.

6. Purchase or create syllable tables

These tables can be used both for memorizing common syllables and constructing words. Show the child one syllable at a time and let them create a word from them.

7. Begin with words containing repeated syllables

Then, make the task more challenging by selecting words with two different syllables: li-en, car-rot, mo-ther. Gradually progress to longer words: cu-cum-ber, bro-cco-li, air-pla-ne.

8. Ensure the child pronounces words correctly while reading

The following steps explain how to teach a child to read effectively. Make sure the child emphasizes the correct stress, doesn't overlook endings, and doesn't skip conjunctions or prepositions. If a mistake is made, don't proceed to the next word until the child reads it correctly.

9. Allow the child to read in syllables instead of whole words

How to start to teach a child to read? Let them first learn to read by breaking words into syllables. This skill of breaking words down will aid in sound-letter analysis and will prove useful when hyphenating words in writing.

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10. Foster meaningful reading experiences

It is crucial for the child to comprehend every phrase they read. When they have a genuine interest in the context, it becomes an additional motivating factor.

We have provided you with the best ways to teach kids how to read. Regardless of the teaching method you choose, it is essential to create a positive and engaging atmosphere during the lessons. This will enable the child to absorb knowledge joyfully and soon impress you with their initial successes.