Reading does not help in learning only, It also helps in understanding oneself, the surroundings and nature. The habit of watching too much TV or gadgets is increasing day by day in children. Raising undefined screen time in children is affecting their mental and physical well being. If the habit of reading would not be developed on time then in this high tech era, watching videos will be replaced over reading by the time.
Some common techniques to develop reading skills in children are going to be discussed here:
- If children’s reading skills have to be improved then it is necessary to keep their books in all the places where they spend most of their time, like playing area, living room, bedroom, and even in the car that will be benefitting while traveling and of course study area.
- Books should be provided in bulk keeping their choice in mind. Replace the old ones with the new ones so the children don’t get bored with the same content.
- Timings are a very important factor. Reading with the child while they are having their meals and before sleep will help in developing their interest in reading a lot.
But are these techniques going to work out to improve reading skills in children? It is necessary to develop interest and for that it should be cleared that whether the child is having difficulty or not? Maybe the child finds it difficult to read which results in a lack of interest in reading. Every child is different and the same techniques cannot be implemented on every child. If the child is already suffering from any learning disorder like dyslexia then it should be cured on time otherwise it will be a life long issue and anything that will be done for improving reading skills will go in vain. Improving reading skills in children and developing their interest in reading is a complete learning process. First of all, it has to be identified, in which category does the child lie?
- Auditory learner (Learn from listening)
- Visual learner (learn from watching)
- Kinaesthetic learner (learn from physical activities)
Reading Techniques For Auditory Learner
If the child is an auditory learner then learning should be done through listening and speaking. Here are some techniques below to develop reading skills in children:
- Audios or recordings might help in letting the child learn easily.
- The child should be provided with his favorite storybooks to listen to and should be asked to repeat.
- Parents, teachers or grown-ups should read with them to develop their interest in reading.
- Discussions in-group will also help in improving reading skills.
- As being an auditory learner the child is good at listening so reading out the words loudly and clearly will definitely help in developing reading skills.
- Reading rhymes with them or making them learn spelling through songs will be a very useful technique.
- Since auditory learners are good at memorizing so as they practice more to repeat with eyes closed, they will learn more.
Techniques For Visual Learner
Nowadays the majority of children are visual learners. This is the category of those children who learn from watching. Visual aids play a vital role in developing reading skills in such children. Here are some techniques to develop reading skills in visual learners:
- Provide them storybooks with colorful illustrations as images play a major role for such kids to remember information.
- Watching stories on youtube can build the interest of such children in reading.
- Flashcards can also make it easy to remember phonics, letter names, and vocabulary. It helps the children to pay attention to the whole word.
- Reading can be easy if a visual conceptual method is used. In this method, a word should be written with picture illustration which helps the child in memorizing spelling.
- The reading content should be written with bright and different colors to keep it easy for the child to remember.
Techniques For Kinaesthetic Learner
These are the learners who need physical activities to remember. And in order to develop reading skills in such children, some ideas are discussed here :
- Felt books or busy books are very helpful to make reading interesting for kinaesthetic learners. These books have prominent words in it that can be felt.
- Games in which movement of the whole body is involved play a vital role in developing reading skills in kinaesthetic tactile children. For example: Hide and seek in which some items should be hidden with the words written on them and the child has to find them.
- Singing rhymes with the child including some dance steps in it is also a tremendous technique to follow. It will be easy for the child to memorize the words used in rhymes.
- Using spelling spinner in memorizing vocabulary is another useful approach. It also involves the whole body of a child.
- Writing words on a Hopscotch will be a very good technique in memorizing sight words for the children who are kinaesthetic learners.
There are various techniques that can be followed to make reading interesting for children. Helping children at an early age will save them from life long issues. Children are little stars, angels and our future, they are a gift from God. Handling them in a proper way with patience will not only make them happy children but successful human being in their future as well.