Reading Practice for Kids: Making IT Fun

How Can I Make Reading Fun for My Child?

Although some children struggle with reading, most kids find it to be an enjoyable activity, especially if they're interested in the topic. Because reading comprehension and fluency are such important skills for young students, it's critical to provide practice that they'll look forward to each day.

To help your child advance his skills, try incorporating reading into everyday activities at home. For example, when you go grocery shopping, ask your child to read the list as you go through the store. Before watching a television program, ask your child to read the title and description from the TV listings. For more at-home reading activities, try the ideas below.

Three Fun Reading Activities for Kids

Find Books Related to Real-Life Events

Some of the most memorable times in a child's life are family outings, group activities and vacations. You can use these events to encourage reading practice. Just select a series of books related to the activity and ask your child to complete one book per week leading up to it.

For example, if your daughter is looking forward to a choir concert in three weeks, select three short stories about music and singing for her to read ahead of time. If your son is excited about his class field trip to the museum in one month, provide a story each week about history, artifacts and other relevant topics to build the excitement.

Recipe Reading

Most learning activities are more enjoyable when there is some form of measurable or tangible outcome. One example of this is cooking. Give your child extra reading practice by asking her to assist you the next time you prepare a meal. Start by having your daughter read the recipe aloud and identify which ingredients and utensils are needed for each step. Then, allow her to follow the recipe and create the dish, providing assistance as needed. In addition to reading practice, your child will gain practical experience, learn how to measure ingredients and be able to enjoy the results.

Online Interactive Reading Activities

If you have access to the Internet, a great way to make reading practice fun for your kid is to allow him to play games online. Many websites offer free, interactive activities for students to complete right on the computer. These activities may help your child improve vocabulary, practice grammar, analyze story elements and master reading skills.