How Parents Can Support Reading at Home: Tips from a Reading Specialist

As a parent, I understand the importance of fostering a love for reading in our children.

However, with busy schedules and competing priorities, it can be challenging to find the time and resources to support our child's reading development.

In this blog post, I'll explore some practical tips and strategies on how parents can support reading at home, from creating a reading-friendly environment to encouraging a love for reading and supporting reading development.

Creating a Reading-Friendly Environment

One of the most effective ways to support reading at home is to create a special space that is dedicated to reading. This could be a cozy corner in your child's room or a designated reading nook in the family room.

To make books look more enticing, consider using rain gutters as bookshelves. This allows you to face the books outwards, making them more visible and accessible to your child.

Additionally, incorporating comfortable seating, such as beanbags or squish mellows, and a reading light can make the space even more inviting.

Encouraging a Love for Reading

Another key component of supporting reading at home is encouraging a love for reading in your child. This could include setting aside a specific time each day for reading, whether that be as a family or individually. Additionally, making regular trips to the library can expose your child to a wide variety of books and help them find new favorites.

Another effective strategy is to find a series of books that your child is interested in. Once they become invested in a series, they will be more likely to continue reading and develop a lifelong love for books.

Supporting Reading Development

Ensuring that your child has access to books at their appropriate reading level is crucial for their development. While it's okay for children to challenge themselves with books that may be a higher reading level, it's important to also provide them with books that are at their current reading level.

Additionally, playing games that focus on phonemic awareness can help support reading development, especially for children with dyslexia. A simple game to play is having your child guess words based on the sounds you make, using a puppet or other prop to make it more engaging.

In conclusion, supporting reading at home is essential for a child's literacy journey. By creating a reading-friendly environment, encouraging a love for reading, and supporting reading development, parents can play a vital role in helping their children become successful readers.