Ten Top Tips for Reading at Home! 

1.Choose a quiet time

Set aside a quiet time with no distractions.

2.Make reading enjoyable

Sit with your child and try not to pressurise if he or she is reluctant. Perhaps you read one page and they read the next. Children will gain a lot from watching you read so remember to include time for you to read to your child

3.Be positive

Don't say 'No. That's wrong,' but try:

'Let's read it together' and point to the words as you say them.

Did that sound right/look right/make sense? Let’s look again together.

Boost your child's confidence with praise.

4.Regular reading

Try to read with your child on most school days. 'Little and often' is best.

5.Talk about the books

There is more to being a good reader than just being able to read the words accurately. Talk to your child about the book; about the pictures, the characters, how they think the story will end, their favourite part, the author’s use of language. You will then be able to see how well they have understood and can help to develop good comprehension skills.

6.Familiar books

Children will benefit from re-reading books that are familiar to them. It is good for you child to read their school reading book several times. This will build your child’s confidence. Struggling with a book with many unknown words is pointless. The flow of the reading is lost and the text cannot be understood. This can cause children to become reluctant readers.

7.Self correction

If your child makes a mistake do not interrupt immediately. Instead allow opportunity for self-correction. Your child may come across unknown words that you will have to help with before that start reading, introduce these words first before you start reading to maintain the flow of reading.

8.Communication

Try to communicate regularly in your child’s reading record with the date, positive comments and any concerns. Your child will then know that you are interested in their progress and it is vital that your child sees that reading is valued by home and school.

9.Visit the Library

Encourage your child to use the public library regularly.

10.Variety

Remember children need to experience a variety of reading materials e.g. picture books, hard backs, comics, magazines, poems, and information books.