Ways To Encourage A New Reader
Reading is something I am very passionate about. As a child I remember reading with my parents, staying up way to late to finish a book, and getting trouble when I couldn’t track down all my library books. I have always loved reading. It was this deep loved that led me to teaching as a career. I cherished my time in the classroom teaching kids to read and helping fuel their love of reading. Now I am able to pass that love onto my children as they enter the age of learning to read themselves. There are so many ways to start readers off on the right foot and to create a positive atmosphere for reading.
I received compensation and samples for this post. All opinions are my own.
Book-Rich Home Environment- Your home can support language and literacy learning by creating place where reading, writing, talking, and listening are a part of your every day life. Read books and other media daily. Take trips to the library. Talk about books you loved and let your children see you read. Talk to your kids, play games that require communication. Let them have access to and free reign of books that they love.
Read Alouds- Reading aloud to your child is HUGE. Way before they can really understand what you are doing and why you are doing it, you are building a foundation. This foundation will help your child love to read. They will associate reading with snuggling and time with you. They will listen to your voice and learn sounds language patterns. They are never too young or too old to read with!
Talk About Sounds- We have a few games we like to play in the car that help my kids identify sounds and patterns in words. We start by me giving them a word and they tell me what it starts with. After they have mastered that, I give them a sound and they give me words with start with the sound. As they get better and better we try adding in ending sounds or rhyming sounds. These all help them make connections between sounds and letters.
Reading Buddies- Once your child is actually beginning to read, introduce them to reading buddies. Have them grab a favorite book and a favorite stuffed animal and let them read a book to their friend. This allows them to practice reading aloud without feeling nervous or afraid. It also makes practice fun!
Find Books They Love- There is a quote that I love that says, “There is no such thing as a kid who hates reading. There are kids who love reading, and kids who are reading the wrong books.” -James Patterson. No one wants to read books they don’t like, once you find something your child loves, they will want to read more. For my daughter that is all things girly. She loves Fancy Nancy and fairies, but my son adores non-fiction. He will struggle and stumble through books way above his reading level with patience because he wants to know about everything he is reading. Find what peaks their interest and let them go crazy.
Embrace Technology- So many times I feel like people who love books feel like technology is their enemy, but they are so wrong. Technology provides us with so many wonderful reading resources. One that we love to use at our home is Hooked On Phonics. Did you know over 5 million children have learned to read using Hooked on Phonics? It is a program that works, like they say, “Learn to read, guaranteed!” and now it is available in both physical and digital formats.
Hooked On Phonics follows the Learn, Practice, Read approach: a proven, simple, and fun method to give your child a strong foundation in phonics and reading skills. They have lessons for kindergarten and first grade students with pre-k and second grade coming soon. Each lesson starts with a song introducing a letter sound and then leads your child through some games and exercises before ending with a book they can read.Â
Your child can repeat the lesson as many times as they need or want to before moving onto the next lesson. The program is based on research, approved by the Children’s Reading Foundation, and designed in conjunction with leading educators, renowned authors, and most importantly, parents. Each lesson only takes 20 minutes. My kids, ages 4 & 5, both LOVE to use the Hooked On Phonics app to practice their reading skills. It is highly effective, and incredibly fun.
The Hooked On Phonics app is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Kindle. Once signed up, your account links across all your devices so you can pick up where you left off, no matter where you are. With over 200 songs, games, lessons, and eBooks, your child will have so much fun learning how to read and love collecting trophies and rewards as they go. Each account can have 3 readers registered to it, each tracking their progress individually. For just $1 you can try the app for 10 days, but I promise you will be hooked after giving it a try! Pun intended.
If you prefer to have a physical edition as well, you can! Hooked On Phonics also offers The Complete Hooked On Phonics Learn To Read Kit that includes the full digital edition as well as 28 original storybooks, 8 bonus books written by award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators, 8 Workbooks, 8 DVDs filled with music videos and fun introductions to each lesson, 8 Sets of Stickers to celebrate reading success, 4 Sets of Letter and Picture Flashcards and 1 Quick Start Guide. You can the try complete set for free for 30 days, all you have to do is pay $9.95 for shipping and handling.Â
Whether you choose the Hooked On Phonics App or the complete Learn To Read Kit, your young reader is in good hands with Hooked On Phonics.
How do you encourage reading at your house?
My son hated reading. Hated it! But after working with him to get the confidence he needed, I can’t get him to stop!
What a great list of ideas Aimee! I particularly loved the point stating that reading with friends is a great way to practice reading and having fun rather than feeling nervous. These appreciated works of yours will greatly helps moms to build the most important skill, i.e., reading to their kids.
We recently discovered that we have a $1 bookstore nearby and have been encouraging our kids to read. I do like the box idea a lot!
Loving to read begins early, for sure. I love all your ideas for engaging kids to appreciate one of the best things in life.
I love all your tips! At my home, I thought it was important for my son to see how much I loved to read….he reads at least one new book per month now!
I love these ideas. Reading is one of the most important skills we ever learn and these are great ways to make bit exciting for kids.
My little one who is soon to be a reader loves Hooked on Phonics on our tablet and we do most of the things on the list!
Jody,
We’re thrilled to hear you’re enjoying the Hooked on Phonics app!
-Jamie
Community Manager, HOP
I’ve always been really lucky in this regard because I’m a voracious reader (as were both of my parents) so all of my older kids love to read. I had fallen into the habit of reading on my phone but I have been working more at books so the toddlers see me doing it as well.
I try to have reading time before bed time. It is a great way for the kids to practice reading. It helps them unwind and get ready for bed.
I have been lucky with my kids and their love for reading. I have a little reading nook for them to relax and read in.
These are great ways to encourage your kids to read. My kids are always excited to go to the library and pick a new book.
I like these ideas! I think the Hooked on Phonics app sounds super helpful and fun.
Liz, I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the Hooked on Phonics app!
-Jamie
[email protected]
Community Manager, HOP
I think these could be excellent resources for a child learning to read. Will look more into it considering I’m expecting my first!
These are all great tips. I think making forts for kids to read in is great. My girls love to read books. My youngest doesn’t actually read yet, but she’ll pretend to.
I have a budding reader, I will have to check out Hooked on Phonics!
Nancy, I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the Hooked on Phonics app!
-Jamie
[email protected]
Community Manager, HOP
These are such inspiring tips for parents to help their kids get excited about reading! We totally follow the have a reading buddy top and encouraging them to read what interests them which means my son has read every sports biography known to humankind,but at least he’s reading right?!
I love that quote from James Patterson. It is so true. Children will read about what interests them. It’s great that Hooked On Phonics is available as an app.
Stacie, I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the Hooked on Phonics app! We’re thrilled to be able to offer a digital version of a well-loved product that really works.
-Jamie
[email protected]
Community Manager, HOP
I always loved reading but my kids are not all over it. These are great ways to encourage them.
We do a lot of reading out loud. He’s not all that thrilled with it but he is improving day by day, and I think he’s starting to like it better because he understands more of the words.
My little niece is getting to the point of beginning to read.. this would be a great thing for her.
Susan, I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the Hooked on Phonics app! We’re thrilled to be able to offer a digital version of a well-loved product that works.
-Jamie
[email protected]
Community Manager, HOP
I always loved to read as a kid. I have heard great things about Hooked On Phonics!
Dana, I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the Hooked on Phonics app! We’re thrilled to be able to offer a well-loved product that really works, and that kids love!
-Jamie
[email protected]
Community Manager, HOP