Reading and 4-8 year olds

If your child is new at reading, choose stories that they can relate to. Look for familiar stories and experiences that they can identify with. E.g. Bubbles and Bruno series is excellent to start with.

Even when your children can read alone, continue to read out aloud with them. Choose books that are a bit above their reading level, but such that they can still understand and enjoy. Remember that opportunities to read are everywhere. You can encourage your child to read street signs, the back of the cereal box or the sports pages of the daily newspaper. Recipes help children learn to read for detail - leaving even a single ingredient out can lead to a disaster! Let them help out by reading the recipe while you cook.

Read with your children. Children who learn to read need to practice this new skill. If they are doing well, nightly home reading is a chance for them to show it off. If they are having trouble, reading at home with you provides a safe place to practice this with someone they trust. Have a variety of books and material available for reading. Identify their interest and buy books. Take advice from school teachers or librarians, on age specific books. Provide some books that match their reading level and a few which are above the level. Practice makes perfect. Having the child read the same books over and over again will teach them sight words and build their reading confidence. Set goals and offer rewards for achieving goals. Rewards should be: buying a favorite book, preparing a favorite recipe together, reading a longer-than-usual story for the child in bed, etc.

Encourage writing along with reading. Writing helps spelling skills and creativity. Older children can be encouraged to write book reviews for favorite books. This improves comprehension too. You can apply some ideas from my previous write-up about Reading Games and Tricks for 2-4yr olds. And always remember to have fun.

Reading Games and Tricks for Ages 2-4 yrs

2-4 yrs is ideal age to introduce reading to the kids. My previous posts have ideas about how to go about it through flashcards etc. Along with that, reading books together and playing reading games bring excitement into it.

Expose them to different kinds of books: fairy tales, poetry, short chapter books, knowledge based and informative books, which may take more than one sitting to finish.

 Toddlers can name what they see in picture books. They like rhymes and short stories, and often want to hear the same story over and over. Have patience, Mom and Dad!

 Choose some books that focus on sounds. For example, the Dr. Seuss books can lead to lots of chanting and fun with sounds—but don’t let the author do all the work. Invite the child to supply the last word of each rhyme. Point out the formation of sentences and the idea of rhyming words. Follow the model the book provides and make some silly rhymes that are special for each child.
Make up your own games with rhyming words, silly sounds, and chants, like this one:
Ba Be Bi Bo Bu-dle-oo-dle-oo!
Ba Be Bi Bo Bu-dle-oo-dle-oo!
If the words sound crazy, don’t be lazy daisy
Ba Be Bi Bo Bu-dle-oo-dle-oo!
Have fun creating new verses by substituting different consonants for the letter B. If the child’s name is Sam, use his/her letter: Sa Se Si So Su-dle-oo-dle-oo!
Or try this traditional song made famous by the children’s performer, Raffi.
Apples and Bananas
I like to eat eat eat apples and bananas.
I like to eat eat eat apples and bananas.
I like to ate ate ate aypuls and baynaynays.
I like to ate ate ate aypuls and baynaynays.
I like to ote ote ote opples and bononos. 8
I like to ote ote ote opples and bononos.…. And so on

Songs, rhyming games, language play, and nursery rhymes—these are all excellent ways to spark children’s awareness of language and sounds.
For example, sing the Teddy Bear song.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, turn around.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch the ground.

 Take advantage of everyday activities to talk about words and sounds. For example, when buying fruit at the market, you might ask the child which sound is the same in the words peach and pineapple, or in peach and tea.

 Pick books that connect to a child’s life and talk about those connections. For example, when you read Green Eggs and Ham you might ask your child, “What color eggs do you eat?” “Shall we look for purple eggs in the store?”

 After you are done reading the book, close it and talk about it with your child. Share your views about the story and the book. Enourage him/her to discuss it with other family members.  During necessary routines like baths, reading, and eating, be sure to make time to talk with children. Turn off the car radio and talk while you drive together. Watch children’s TV programs together and talk about them.

 As adults, we sometimes view conversation as a luxury—an extra in our busy lives. But for young children whose developing minds are striving to become literate, talk is essential—the more meaningful and substantive, the better. Set aside a regular “talk time” for adults and children, when having conversations about their lives is your main focus.

Reading Games and Tricks for 0-2 yrs.

Some Practical Tricks and Games for Age 0-2

Even very young babies are fascinated by books. They like to flip through the pages and look at the pictures. Buy or borrow picture books made of tough baby-proof materials for them, such as cloth or board books.

During necessary routines like baths, reading, and eating, be sure to make time to talk with your baby. Tell them what you are doing or will be doing in advance, so they know what to expect. Even when they are very young, with the daily talk, they will start understanding some words and sensing your tone. Turn off the car radio and talk while you drive together. Watch children’s TV programs together and talk about them. Instead of channel surfing, turn off the TV and use the time to talk. I used to talk to my babies a lot. It makes the mother-child bond stronger and they learn to talk sooner.

If your child is an impatient reader, choose books that have movement. Books with short chapters, “lift-the-flap” or sliders encourage children to keep reading. Pick books that connect to the child’s life and talk about those connections. For example, when you read Bruno finds a ball you might ask your child, “What color is our ball?” “Shall we look for a lost ball at the park?”

Children like repetition. Read the same books over and over again, each time pointing out to a different aspect. Children learn more in the next go.

Labeling games, are just right for little ones, for example, “Where is your nose?” Verbally label objects and events in your child’s world, for example, “Nina is on the swing.” Encourage your child to label objects and events, helping him or her with vocabulary and pronunciation. Do these types of labeling games with pictures in magazines, books, etc.

Be expressive and funny while reading the book. Enjoy yourself, the child will pick up on your enjoyment.

Put the books away in an assigned place after you are done reading. That way they will wait for the reading session and want more. Letting the books lie around will lead to the child taking them for granted.

8 Ways Parents Can Promote Reading At Home

As a parent, we are our child's first - and most important - teacher. Here are eight ways you can help your child become a better reader.

1. Read yourself. Your actions really do speak louder than your words. When your kids see you reading the newspaper or curling up with a book, they will want to follow your example.

2. Make sure your children read every day. Reading - like shooting baskets and playing the guitar - is a skill. Like other skills, it gets better with practice. Research has found that children who spend at least 30 minutes a day reading for fun - whether they read books, newspapers, or magazines - develop to be better readers at school.

3. Get the library habit. Make sure everyone in your family has a library card. Schedule regular trips to the library or get books delivered home. While you are there, check out a book yourself!

4. Read aloud to the children. Here too, research shows that this is the most important thing that parents can do to help their children become better readers. Here are some tips:
• Start reading to your children when they are young. It is never too early to begin reading to your children.
• Don't stop reading to your children as they grow older. You will both enjoy the chance to do something together.
• Set aside some time each day for reading aloud. Even 10 minutes a day can have a big impact. Bedtime is the best reading aloud time followed by breakfast and just after dinner.
• Read books you enjoy. Your kids will know if you are faking it.

5. Here is a way to use your newspaper to encourage reading: a scavenger hunt. Give your child a list of things to find in today's newspaper. Here are some ideas:
• A map of our Country.
• A picture of your child's favorite athlete.
• The temperature in the city where a family member lives.
• Three words that begin with "w".
• A movie that is playing at a nearby theater.

6. Give books as gifts. Then find a special place for your children to keep their own library.

7. Make reading a privilege. Say, "You can stay up 15 minutes later tonight to read in bed." Or you might say, "Because you helped with the dishes, I have time to read you an extra story."

8. Make writing material available. Writing strengthens reading. Create an environment that is supportive of early writing by making sure paper, crayons, pens, pencils, and markers are available. Let toddlers help you write shopping lists.

Benefits of Reading to Your Kids

Research shows that:

• By the age of five, 90 % of the child’s brain and synaptic connections of its cells - the “building blocks” of development - are already made. 
• By the time they go to school, we have lost the most valuable years to make a difference. 
• Right kind of stimulation can help rapid growth of neurological circuits.

Read Everyday 

 Reading is a wonderful experience which takes you into a world created by the author, limited only by your own imagination. Almost always, reading a book is more enjoyable than watching a movie based on the same book. This is so, because a book lets you paint the picture using your own imagination, rather than watching someone else’s interpretation of it.


Reading as a habit opens the child to an unlimited world of information and builds a strong knowledge base. You can buy or rent books on varied topics and read at your own leisure. Your child will never be at a loss of topics for conversation while with piers or teachers.

Along with information there is a lot of imagination involved. Books give the child a right-brain activity with heightened imagination and creativity.


Children develop patience by engrossing in reading, as the book unravels itself at its own pace. Watching television gives abnormal and intense stimulation to children and makes them impatient. It is very easy to give in to Television and modern day entertainment. But, I have experienced the ill effects. Among others things, a child addicted to video games or television gets easily bored in normal pace of real life situations.

As you can see, I am an ardent fan of reading and developing the reading habit. This habit does not build in a day. Over a period of time, the child will start reading for longer hours. In some cases it may be easier said that done, but this will only help him/her later. During college, higher education, or even at work, there is no shying away from reading. As parents we can give them a head start. So, start today....

Encouraging your kids to read

It is never too early or late to read to you kids and it is one of the best ways to encourage them to read. I would read a lot to my children when they were babies. This helped my kids develop a liking for reading. In today's day and age of video and computer games, I am glad they like to buy and read books. It introduces language and speech at a young age. You should share this experience with them at every stage of growing up. It is a great bonding experience for parent and child. It is also a constructive and structured activity to enjoy together. You built wonderful memories on it. The child will always remember it as a loving gesture from the parent. Eventually the book becomes an unconditional friend.

And these are only the fringe benefits. Reading to and with your kids, is a way to teach them reading. Once they are able to read short sentences, you can read age appropriate books to them. My favorites are Dr. Seuss books for the wonderfully funny, rhyming and easy to read text. They introduce the child to the world of poetry and writing, without bounds. There are repetitive words, which help the child in memorizing words and reading the rest of the book faster, which builds confidence. Choose your favorite kind, and read.

Read one book at bedtime everyday and your kids will love this bedtime routine. Take a library membership and visit the library together every week. You pick one book for them and let them pick one. Reward them for good behavior, with books. Last but not the least, read a book yourself. Be a role model. Don't tell them what to do, do it yourself.