Learning to read: This is how children learn to read in a playful way!

In order to learn to read better, your child must develop a basic interest in texts and books. Scientific studies show that the foundation for good language, reading and writing skills is laid in early childhood. But you can still help your child to read better while they are still at school. With these tips you can actively support the development of your child.

Be a “reading” role model

Let your child regularly watch you reading, writing or typing something yourself, for example a shopping list, a postcard or an SMS. If your child asks what is on an advertising poster, the milk carton or in the newspaper, then you should read the text to him. Even if you are reading something yourself that might interest your child, just read it out. This strengthens your child’s interest in learning to read on their own.

reading and storytelling

By reading aloud, you can introduce your child to written language, which can make it easier for him to learn to read. In addition, your child learns to concentrate on one thing for a longer period of time while listening. You should always take small breaks in between and talk to your child about the story, for example how it will continue. Your child should not only listen, but also be allowed to ask questions or comment on the text. With interactive reading, you can help your child to increase their vocabulary and to process what they have heard.

Learn to read with picture books

Picture books are a good tool to help your child learn to read. When they see the right pictures for the text they are supposed to read, the jumble of letters becomes more interesting because they can see the connections between the pictures and the sentences. The better your child learns to read, the fewer pictures are necessary and you can give your child books to read that contain more text.

Learn to read through play

Give your child the opportunity to become familiar with reading through play. Maybe your child likes to read for a while. You set up an hourglass, you start to read and when the time is up you switch – if necessary even in the middle of a word or sentence. In this way you can create a positive attitude in relation to reading in your child.

Learn to read with poems and songs

Teach your child poetry and nursery rhymes, rhymes and tongue twisters. In this way, you promote your child’s sense of rhythm, musicality and linguistic awareness – a basic requirement for learning to read.

Learn to read together

Take time to read something with your child. This not only creates practice while learning to read, but is also a great opportunity to bring some calm into the stressful everyday life. If you take a little time out every day and snuggle up on the sofa with your child and a book for ten minutes, you both benefit a lot: Your child can associate positive feelings such as closeness, security and relaxation with learning to read, and you have Opportunity to spend time with your child, monitor their progress and give yourself a little break.

Keep offering books

Even if your child doesn’t like to read, you can always offer them books to read. Make sure your child has easy access to books should they ever feel like reading. So even if your child is not a bookworm, you can leave a few copies in the children’s room or occasionally give a book that might interest them for their birthday. Maybe someday they’ll start reading on their own if they get the chance. Maybe it can do more with comic books or children’s magazines than with thick tomes.

Show interest in progress

Try to show interest when your child reads something. Even if your child comes up to you and tells you what they have read at school or at home, you should listen carefully and talk to the child about it. Praise for success in learning to read can also motivate your child.

Learn to read without pressure

To prevent your child from refusing to learn to read in the first place, you should never use coercion or pressure to force your child to read. Make sure that there is always a positive mood when you leaf through a book together so that your child gets the urge to learn to read.

If you would also like to help your little one get to know the alphabet and the letters, we have great book suggestions for you here.

If you want to encourage your child to learn numbers and arithmetic in addition to learning to read, we have some great books for you here that will support your child in a playful way.