Simple Ways to Help Your Child Be More Confident with Reading (Ep.36)

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HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

Are you struggling to find the time to support your child’s reading development? Do you want to know how to make learning to read fun and engaging for your child?

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jen, who shared her expertise on how parents can help their children become confident readers in just a few minutes a day. She shared practical tips and game ideas that require few resources, but have a significant impact on reading confidence.

TOPICS COVERED:

• 00:02:15 Building phonemic awareness through play and games
• 00:04:52 Importance of modeling reading.
• 00:09:36 How you can be modelling reading for your child.
• 00:14:32 Help struggling readers with a routine.
• 00:19:09 It’s ok to re-read books
• 00:23:39 Games can improve reading skills.

MEET JEN:

I’m Jen and I work with parents to help their children become confident readers. Reading is the gateway to all other forms of learning. It gives children so much; from being able to read a street sign, to learning about dinosaurs or outer space, reading can give them all of that and more. They just need to learn how first.

Over the years, I’ve seen so many parents who are concerned about their child’s reading, who want to help them, but don’t know how. I’m on a mission to show parents just how easy it can be to help your child at home, how it doesn’t require hours of tuition, or endless ‘Instagram worthy’ activities. Just 10 minutes a day can boost your child’s reading and take them from curious to confident.

CONNECT WITH JEN:

• Instagram:Theprimaryeducator2022
• Fb:Theprimaryeducator
• Www.Theprimaryeducator.co.uk
• Curious to confident facebook group

CONNECT WITH SARAH:

• Connect with me on Instagram @reading_made_delicious
• Like and follow me on Facebook
• Grab the FREE Ulitmate Guide to Using Recipes to Help Your Child with Learning to Read >>>>> Get the ultimate guide

Episode Summary

Short, fun games boost reading

Reading is an essential skill that plays a crucial role in a child’s development. However, as a parent, it can be challenging to find the time and resources to help your child improve their reading skills. Fortunately, there are short and fun games that can significantly boost a child’s reading confidence. In this podcast, Jen, a primary school teacher, shares some of these games and explains how they can help children develop their phonemic awareness, the first pillar of reading.

Jen specializes in teaching phonics and early reading and is passionate about supporting parents in their efforts to help their children learn to read. She understands the impact that parents have on their children’s reading and believes that short and fun games can make a significant difference in their development. To help parents, she has created a resource called the Primary Educator, where he shares easy and quick games that parents can play with their children to improve their reading skills.

One of the primary skills is phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words. Phonemic awareness is the second pillar of reading, after fluency, and is crucial for children to develop before they can become proficient readers.

A game called the “Listening Moment,” is a simple activity that parents can do with their children to improve their phonemic awareness. The game involves giving your child a moment to listen and then asking them to identify different sounds they hear. This game not only helps with phonemic awareness but also trains memory skills and vocal skills.

These games require few resources and can be adapted to suit children of different ages and reading abilities. Play these games regularly with your children and to make them as fun and engaging as possible. Short and fun games are the key to boosting a child’s reading confidence and helping them become proficient readers

Model blending and practical reading

Model blending- which involves sounding out words in day-to-day life. This game is particularly helpful for younger children who are still developing their blending skills. By modeling blending for them, parents can help their children work out words in their brain and solidify their understanding of phonemes. This can be adapted for children of different ages and skill levels, making it a versatile tool for improving reading skills.

Another important activity is practical reading, which involves encouraging children to look for words in their environment and using them in everyday situations. This activity helps children understand the practical applications of reading and raises the value of reading in their eyes.

By showing them that reading is not just about books, but about understanding the world around them, parents can help their children develop a lifelong love for reading.

Model reading for your child

Reading is an essential skill that plays a crucial role in a child’s education.

It is the foundation upon which all other learning is built.

However, many children find reading challenging and may struggle to develop the necessary skills to become confident readers. As parents, it is our responsibility to help our children develop a love for reading and support them in their journey towards becoming proficient readers. One of the most effective ways to do this is by modeling reading for our children.

Modeling reading means showing our children how important and enjoyable reading can be. It involves setting an example by reading in front of our children, narrating our daily activities, and pointing out everything we read. By doing so, we demonstrate to our children that reading is not just a chore but a valuable and practical skill that can be used in everyday life.

Children learn by example, and they are more likely to develop a love for reading if they see their parents reading regularly. Even if we don’t have time to sit down and read a book ourselves, we can still model reading by picking up a book or a newspaper while our children are watching TV or playing. This shows them that reading is an activity that can be enjoyed at any time and in any place.

Narrating our daily lives

Another way to model reading is by narrating our daily activities. We can point out street signs, shop names, and other things we read in our day-to-day lives. This helps our children understand the practical applications of reading and shows them that it is an essential skill that they will need throughout their lives.

Practical reading is also an important tool that parents can use to help their children become confident readers. By blending sounds together and building words, children can develop their phonics skills and learn to read more fluently. Using resources like the Primary Educator, parents can provide their children with the tools they need to become proficient readers and succeed in school and beyond.

Reading is hard, but possible

Reading is a fundamental skill that is critical to success in school and beyond. However, for many children, reading can be a daunting and challenging task. As the podcast highlights, reading is hard, but it is possible to overcome the mental blocks that children may experience and become confident and successful readers.

One of the most common challenges that children face when learning to read is a mental block that leads them to believe that they cannot do it.

This is where parents can play a crucial role in helping their children overcome this barrier. By keeping children interested in stories and books and breaking down reading into smaller, manageable tasks, parents can help their children build confidence and develop the skills they need to become proficient readers.

Understanding why a child is struggling with reading is important. Parents are encouraged to work with their child’s teacher to identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to their child’s difficulty with reading. Whether it is a lack of interest in the books they are being given or a specific issue with blending or letter recognition, identifying the root cause of the problem is essential to finding a solution.

Another key takeaway from the podcast is the importance of routine. By establishing a regular reading time each day, parents can help their children develop a habit of reading and make it a natural part of their daily routine. This can help children’s brains recognize that it is reading time and make it easier for them to engage with the task at hand.

Reread books to build confidence

One effective way to build confidence in reading is to reread books. Many people believe that once a book has been read, there is no need to revisit it. However, this is not the case when it comes to building confidence in reading. Rereading a book allows a child to absorb more information and gain a deeper understanding of the text. This is especially helpful for reluctant readers who may struggle with comprehension or retention.

When a child rereads a book, they have something to base their reading off of. This can be particularly helpful for children with fantastic memories who may find it challenging to read the same text repeatedly. Parents can switch out a word or phrase, encouraging their child to resound the text. By doing so, they are challenging their child’s reading skills while also building confidence.

Rereading a book also helps children feel more comfortable with the text. They may remember parts of the story or characters, which can make them feel more confident in their reading abilities. Furthermore, the more times a child reads a book, the more excited they become. They realize that they can read the book, and this boosts their confidence.

Parents can also provide praise and encouragement to their child when they reread books. The more praise a child receives, the more endorphins are released, and the more they want to read. This positive reinforcement can help children build confidence in their reading abilities.

In conclusion, rereading books is an effective way to build confidence in reading. It allows children to absorb more information, gain a deeper understanding of the text, and feel more comfortable with the material. Parents can also provide praise and encouragement to their child, which can further boost their confidence. With the right resources and support, every child can become a proficient reader and unlock the many benefits that come with this essential skill.

Games help kids read better

Games help kids read better. Games are not only fun but also effective in improving reading skills.

Play games that focus on letter recognition, phonics, and sight words. For example, parents can play “I Spy” with their child, where they take turns spotting letters or words in the environment. This game helps children develop their letter recognition skills and also makes reading more interactive and engaging.

Another game is “Rhyme Time,” where parents say a word and their child has to come up with a word that rhymes with it. This game helps children develop their phonics skills, which are essential for decoding words. By playing this game, children learn to recognize patterns in words and become more confident in their ability to read.

Jen also emphasizes the importance of reading aloud to children. She suggests that parents read to their child every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Reading aloud helps children develop their vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills. It also creates a positive association with reading and can instill a love of books in children.

In addition to playing games and reading aloud, provide your child with a variety of reading materials. This includes books, magazines, and even cereal boxes. By exposing children to different types of text, parents can help their child develop a love of reading and an appreciation for the written word.

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Content Disclaimer

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this episode are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast. Sarah Travers disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this episode.