There are lots of different types of reading but if you’re looking for ways to encourage your child to read on their own, or encourage their independent reading journey you've come to the right place!
Access to Books
Start by ensuring that a range of reading materials are easy for your child to access. If possible, keep a variety of types of texts at home that they can choose from, like books, comics, magazines. The more choices they have, the more likely they are to find something that they love.
Or if you don’t have many books at home, consider joining your local library and visiting it together as a family on a regular basis.
Read Aloud
Continue reading to your child regularly, even as they begin to read independently. It is important to still listen to them read aloud when they become independent readers. This is because it not only reinforces the joy of stories but also helps develop their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Be a Role Model
Let your child see you reading for pleasure. Whether it’s a novel, magazine, or something else, showing that you value reading sets a great example. When children observe adults enjoying books, they are more likely to want to copy that behaviour.
Discuss the Books with Your Child
Make it a habit to talk about what your child is reading. Ask open-ended questions about the text to enhance their comprehension and make reading more interactive. Chatting about the books that they read can deepen their understanding and enjoyment too.
Read Together (Independently!)
Set aside family reading time where everyone reads their own book at the same time. You might find that they want to share passages from what they are reading aloud. This creates a positive association with independent reading and makes it a family bonding experience.
Final Thoughts
When children read independently it is important to make sure that they have access to books, at home or at a local library. Even though you are encouraging your child to read independently, there is still a lot of value in listening to them read aloud. Also, modelling independent reading alone or together as a family.
PageTicker will allow you to keep track of your child's independent reading, as well as other types of reading.
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