Children's Reading Tools: Educational Tools that Improve Reading
Students struggle with reading for many different reasons, ranging from lack of practice to difficulty decoding large words. Read on to find out more about effective reading tools and methods that can help your child improve.
How to Use Children's Reading Tools
Reading frequently and out loud is one of the most effective ways for kids to improve their reading skills and become more confident. However, struggling readers often try to avoid independent reading because the activity frustrates them, and they don't want to be embarrassed in class. Following these steps at home can help your child keep up and develop his or her reading skills.
Three Effective Reading Tips and Tools for Children
Family Reading Time
One of the most important activities you can do to help your child become a better reader is to schedule a regular family reading time. Getting your whole family involved can motivate your child and show that learning to read is important. Additionally, reading out loud helps her become familiar with different sounds and pronunciations. Even spending 15 minutes each day is beneficial.
In addition, be sure to stock your shelves at home with a variety of reading materials that appeal to your child. This will encourage her to read in her free time instead of shying away from it.
Multimedia Resources
Technology is becoming more prevalent in education because it provides fun, interactive ways for children to improve their skills. This is especially true for reading. Audio books can help struggling readers get through more advanced texts by allowing them to listen and follow along.
Another effective tool to help your child become a better reader is interactive games. Several educational websites offer free games that focus on creating sentences, rhyming words, spelling, using punctuation and more.There are also applications that can be downloaded to an iPod, iPad or similar device to record your child's reading, so he can listen to it and identify errors.
Phonics Tools
Phonics involves correlating the sounds of letters to the symbols. You can utilize electronic phonics programs, many of which are free online, to help your child understand letter sounds, positions and blends. Not only do these programs feature visual examples for your child to see, they also play sound bytes of letter groups and entire words. You may be able to determine specific areas that your child is struggling in and utilize only those parts of the program.
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