Starting your toddler off early on a path of reading can have numerous benefits for them as they head into school and beyond! Early readers tend to learn faster, have better focus, and improve problem-solving. Additionally, they develop higher confidence levels around language and communication, leading to improved socialization skills as they grow older. Not only that but reading is an endless source of entertainment – allowing their minds to explore places near and far without ever having to leave the comfort of home.
Teaching your toddler to read can be an exciting and rewarding process. It’s a great way to help your child get a head start in their education while teaching them invaluable skills that will serve them well throughout their academic career. But where do you start? Here are ten simple tips to get you and your toddler reading quickly!
Start early
Reading to your infant, even before they are old enough for formal instruction, is an important part of their development. They will begin recognizing shapes and pictures, learn about language in a fun way, and grow in their knowledge of the world around them. Plus, it’s great bonding time for you and your little one!
Introducing books allows you to read together later when they are older as well. Getting used to being read helps improve readiness for formal learning and can create lifelong habits that shape how children view reading. It’s never too early to introduce your child to books – so find some fun ones and let the stories begin!
Make it fun
Reading can be seen as a chore or punishment for some children, but teaching your toddler to read doesn’t have to be that way! Making reading an enjoyable experience will help them build a positive attitude towards books and learning in general. Choose stories they will find interesting, and make time for plenty of snuggles while you explore the world of literature together.
Letting your child pick out their books is also important. This can teach them independence while also teaching them to trust their judgement when it comes to what type of stories they prefer. Get creative with the process – try incorporating puppets and stuffed animals into story time or turn it into an interactive game by asking questions about what they’ve read.
Create a routine
Creating a regular reading time that your toddler looks forward to can help reinforce the importance of books in their life and make it more of a habit. Starting regular reading time with your child, even for just 15 minutes each day, will immensely benefit them in the long run.
Be sure to carve out the same time each day for reading so your child knows when to expect it. This could be right after breakfast, before bedtime, or anytime in between – whatever works best for you both! Also, make sure the environment is relaxed and comfortable. Remember to bring some cozy blankets or pillows to get cozy during story time!
Help them sound out words
One of the keys to teaching your toddler how to read is to sound out words and recognize letter-sound relationships. This will eventually lead to decoding words independently as they get older. To do this, pick books that contain simple words with short vowels and consonants. If you come across a word your toddler doesn’t understand, point to each letter as you sound it out and have them repeat after you.
You can also use teaching tools like magnetic letters or flashcards to help them learn and recognize the different sounds of each letter. They should be able to start picking up on the patterns quickly – giving them confidence in their reading abilities!
Make time for practice
Practice makes perfect! Having your child read aloud is an integral part of teaching them how to read and can help build their confidence in reading out loud. Pick books they are interested in so they stay engaged and motivated throughout the process and don’t be afraid to help them out if they get stuck on a word.
You can also choose books with repetition or rhyming words that are easier to decode. This will help your toddler become more familiar with the different sounds and will make it easier for them to sound out new words as they come across them.
Be patient
Learning to read takes time. So, be sure to be patient with your toddler and encourage them as they progress. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, as teaching a toddler to read is no easy task!
Patience also includes letting your child take breaks when needed. Reading can be overwhelming for little ones, and forcing them won’t do much good if they start feeling frustrated. Praise their efforts and make sure the environment is one of encouragement rather than pressure or criticism.
Take advantage of teaching tools
There are plenty of teaching tools available to help make teaching your toddler how to read easier and more fun. Apps, interactive websites, and flashcards are all great resources you can take advantage of.
Apps like Reading Eggs or ABCmouse offer engaging activities that teach letter-sound relationships, basic phonics skills, sight words, and more – all in a fun game format! Flashcards also come in handy as they’ve been proven to improve recognition time for young children learning to read.
Make it meaningful
Learning to read is about so much more than just recognizing letters and sounding out words – it’s about connecting with stories and understanding their meaning. Involve your child in the process by asking them questions about what they’re reading.
Ask them to point out characters and objects in a picture book or explain how they think the story ends. This will help them understand the meaning of what they’re reading while teaching them essential comprehension skills.
Take it outside
Sometimes taking learning outdoors can be just as beneficial! Many libraries have summer reading programs or other outdoor events to teach toddlers how to read. Doing activities like this gives your child an opportunity to practice their skills in a different environment, surrounded by other kids and activities that are fun and engaging.
Why don’t you also make up your outdoor activity? Have your toddler search for items in the park that begin with a certain letter or sound!
Use repetition
One of the best teaching strategies for teaching a toddler to read is repetition. Repeating words and sentences can help your child become more familiar with them, making them easier to sound out and understand.
Get creative with this strategy by playing games like “I Spy” or saying tongue twisters together. You can also make up rhymes or stories that have repeating patterns. The more fun you have with it, the more likely your little one will be to commit these words to memory!
Learning how to read takes time, dedication, and patience – but teaching a toddler to read doesn’t have to be stressful. Keep these 10 tips in mind as you embark on this educational journey with your toddler and you’ll be sure to have a blast along the way!