As your child goes on a literacy journey, every reading milestone is worth celebrating, no matter how small. From sounding out their first word to reading an entire page, all those lightbulb moments can add up when it comes to your young reader’s confidence. Whether you empower them to choose the next book to read together or simply offer praise for a job well done, your encouragement will go a long way in boosting their literacy and self-esteem.
Choose their own adventure.
Let your child step into the driver’s seat by letting them choose the next book to read together. Visit the local library or bookstore and help them explore topics of interest to them. You can also expand the offerings beyond books by making magazines or comic books available. When making decisions about family reading time, involve your children by asking where they want to read. Giving them some freedom and choice will help them connect with the content of the book and provide them with a boost of confidence.
Make it fun.
Laughter can go a long way toward fostering confidence and a love of reading. So, find different ways to make at-home reading activities fun. Read aloud together, encouraging them to use different voices for different characters or to read with feeling. Ask them questions about the books that prompt them to think critically. You can even incorporate visual props like toys, pictures, or drawings to help make the material more engaging and interactive.
Praise each page turn.
Keep them motivated to improve by praising their successes and, more importantly, their efforts. Struggle is normal, and everyone learns at their own pace, so remind them that every small step they take leads to better reading skills, even if it’s difficult to get to the next level. You can act as a role model to them by making reading a daily habit of your own and sharing the plot or synopsis of your book with them. Snap a fun story selfie together once you’ve finished your reading time for the day.
By encouraging your child as they turn the page, you can help build their confidence and love of reading, one word at a time.
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