Young children are always fascinated by books. Even if they cannot read, they wanted to be seen with books because they saw their parents and older siblings reading. Now, that is a great influence.
Yet, many parents are complaining that they could not get their children to read! Why? Yes, some parents are too afraid to encourage reading at a young age. They fear that by doing so, their children may dislike reading later. That is not true. Parents will wait forever if they want to wait for their children to have the "reading readiness" first.
There is no fixed rule about "learning readiness" or teaching to read. When a child is not ready, he can still be exposed to words and names of objects around him. There is nothing wrong to read together with him. Even if he just stares at the pictures, read to him the story.
Most parents will expose their children to the letters in the alphabet system. The reading process can begin even before a child learns and recognizes letters. However, knowing the alphabet is not the only way to start your child in reading.
Reading together with your child is another way to expose the young mind to reading. The child will be fascinated with simple words. Road signs, big advert signs and other simple words that are posted in public places can be taught to a child every day. Do not be surprised when the young learner reads aloud signs he sees on a trip to town.
All children have keen and active minds and are able to recall simple keywords they were exposed to earlier. The fascination with printed words will set in as they learn more words and the meanings. Very soon, they can easily recognize simple phrases.
Reading aloud together helps a child to emphasize his reading, listening and speaking skills later. Your child may be able to recognize and recall keywords and names that are familiar to him. He may want to know where these words are in a printed page. Point out the words to him. It will thrill the child to find similar words in other pages too.
Reading together with your child opens a new door to explore new "things" together. Your child will feel the excitement as he listens to your stories. He wants to be able to read too, to extract meanings from print in books.
Every child has a different learning pattern. What works with your neighbors' children may not work well with your own. Do not force your child to read if he does not want to. The child is just not ready yet.
Every child can begin reading without a real measure of readiness. Some parents wait until their children are about to attend school before teaching them reading. Some started as soon as their children can talk. No matter when you start, your child needs your help along the way.
Be gentle and patient when your child is not interested in reading yet. You can still introduce him picture books and road signs. Do not feel despair. At this time, you need to provide plenty of learning opportunities. Be an all time supportive parent. Encourage your child to explore. Take delight in your child's discoveries and progresses.
Respect your child as a "reader" even though he is only a beginner. To your child, reading may be something he does at a certain time of the day. Give him the attention. Read with him. Your child may be interested on in the story at first, but later, when he starts to recognize simple words, he will want to read with you.
When your child is already all excited about reading, do not let the excitement die away. Share a book with him. Rereading the same stories is a way to reinforce his newfound knowledge. Children do not feel bored even if they listen to the same stories over and over again. They learn new things as the story are reread again.
When your child is reading, keep in mind, he is trying his best to sound like you! He remembers and recalls how you pronounce each word. You do not have to make it "word perfect" during his first few attempts in reading. Doing so will only increase his fear in reading.
Stock up a small library of books suitable for your child's reading level. When your child is able to read on his own, he will want to read all day. By then, you will have a good library of books for him to indulge in.
It is always great to be your child's first reading partner, before he attends school. You and the young learner will have a lot to explore together.
