Tips for early readers
Do you have an early reader? You might have just finished a phonics book and he/she is slowly reading sentences, but is still decoding some words and hasn't become a fluent reader quite yet.
I want to share some ideas for how to build a love for reading in those earliest days when it can feel tedious and laborious (for both mama and child).
1. Let them choose. Offer a wide variety of books to choose from, then let your child pick a favorite. Giving your child this power may help them feel more invested and motivated.
2. Minimize distractions. If your new reader has siblings, the excess noise can feel really frustrating. Reserve 20 minutes during "rest time" (so the other kids are away) so you can spend some one-on-one time with that child and give him or her your full attention.
3. Make it special! Every once in a while, make tea, light a candle, or set out a treat so it feels a little fancy. They'll connect that warm feeling with reading (which is the goal!).
4. My favorite tip: Take turns reading. Read one page aloud, then let your child read the next. This makes the story flow and keeps the momentum going. It also gives your child a little break between reading longer passages.
Our favorite early readers tell a story, have beautiful illustrations, and are often humorous. When your child laughs at a joke they just read, you know they're comprehending the story.
We especially love these:
- Mouse Tales by Arnold Lobel
- Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel
- Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik
- Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel (these are our favorites!)
- Penny books (any in this series) by Kevin Henkes
Our 6-year-old recently finished working through the two levels of 100 Gentle Lessons in Sight and Sound by A Gentle Feast, which we used to teach her to read. Now, I'm encouraging her to read 3 stories with me every day and she is flourishing.
I hope these tips are helpful!
