Reading is a fundamental skill that is very important for children of appropriate age to master because it can help them develop other skills, such as writing and speaking. However, teaching children to read is often not easy, so here are some tips for teaching children to read that you can try.

Key Takeaways:

• Reading is a fundamental skill that is very important for children of appropriate age to master, as it can help them develop other skills like writing and speaking.
• Interactive applications on tablets or computers for children to learn reading, such as ABC Mouse, Duolingo Kids, Khan Academy Kids, and many more.
• Tips for teaching children to read include: regularly reading books to children, introducing letters and sounds gradually, using books and flashcards, practicing with interactive games, utilizing technology, learning new words every week, finding new words outside the home, and being patient and consistent.

1. Regularly Read Books to Children

Regularly reading books, especially storybooks to children, can make them more enthusiastic and interested in reading along. You can also use facial expressions as engagingly as possible when reading books to make them more excited and motivated to learn to read.

2. Introduce Letters and Sounds Gradually

Every child has different abilities to absorb words, so you need to introduce letters and their pronunciation gradually. In this case, you can start with vowels first, then consonants. After that, teach children to combine sounds to form words.

For example, you can start by teaching the vowels A, I, U, E, O. Then the consonant B, and then teach ba, bi, bu, be, bo. Next, you can start teaching the pronunciation of "Mama," "Baby," and so on.

3. Use Picture Books and Flash Cards

Generally, children tend to prefer visual learning styles. Therefore, using picture books and flash cards might be an effective way to train children's reading skills. When teaching children, it's recommended to show flash cards while clearly and correctly pronouncing the letters.

This is important, considering children are excellent imitators. So, if you mispronounce even slightly, it might affect their reading and pronunciation in the future.

4. Practice with Interactive Games

Children from kindergarten to elementary school tend to be interested in interactive learning activities. Therefore, using interactive games for children's reading practice becomes the best choice.

Some examples of interactive games you can use include letter puzzles, letter hunting games, phonics-based games, and many more. However, you should choose games that match their interests to better capture their attention when learning to read.

5. Utilize Technology

Utilizing technology can be an effective way to train children's reading skills because it tends to be more engaging and interactive for children. In this case, you can use interesting and interactive applications on smartphones, tablets, or computers. Such as ABCMouse.com, Khan Academy Kids, Duolingo Kids, and many more, or also through YouTube videos.

6. Learn New Words Every Week

The next tip for training children to read is to teach a maximum of 2 new words per week. This is because giving too many new words can stress children's brains. So, they might experience learning difficulties. Then, try to present those words in their daily lives.

7. Find New Words Outside the Home

Training children to read cannot be limited to learning at home or school; you can also train them while doing activities outside the home. For example, when going to the supermarket, you can ask children to spell or read the names of items there. Don't forget to give appreciation to boost their confidence.

8. Be Patient and Consistent

Childhood is synonymous with playtime, so it will be somewhat difficult to make them want to learn to read. Therefore, extra patience and consistency are needed for parents in teaching them. It might feel difficult at first, but once they get used to it, children will be more motivated to continue learning.

Enhance Your Child's Reading Skills with Sampoerna Academy!

Tips for teaching children to read include regularly reading books to children, introducing letters and sounds gradually, using books and flashcards, practicing with interactive games, utilizing technology, learning new words every week, finding new words outside the home, and being patient and consistent.

However, these tips might be less effective if not accompanied by quality school education. Therefore, Sampoerna Academy is here as an international school that focuses on providing the best education for your children, especially through the implementation of the Cambridge curriculum and STEAM learning methods for various levels, including kindergarten and elementary school.

At Sampoerna Academy, children will be taught to read in engaging and interactive ways, which can accelerate their reading abilities. Additionally, Sampoerna Academy doesn't only focus on classroom learning but also outdoor activities to train children's cognitive and social skills.

If you're interested, you can directly fill out the form below to learn more about the school curriculum at Sampoerna Academy!