Did you know that you can help your children read and write?
Do not worry, you do not take the place of the teacher by encouraging them to read more, but you can be active partners and provide children with an environment that encourages learning. Keep in mind that mistakes are part of learning, so let children experience writing in any form, it’s part of the process. Try not to focus on the difficulties, but on what the children are successful at.
One of the most important things is to create an environment that encourages reading. Reading develops the imagination, helps to develop rich language and teaches to reject gratifications. Naturally they learn a lot in school and you can incorporate that into home life.
For example you can look at 1st Grade Lesson Plans. If you encourage your child language from an early age, then they will certainly come to read more and probably struggle less with it.
Some parents and kindergarteners start teaching their children to read in an experiential way at the age of two.
For example, before you start eating you can play a short game – write on notes the names of all the family members, sprinkle on the table, and everyone should take their name and put it next to the plate. Encourage them to learn new words, and to speak to others. Encourage them to talk to adults too. When they hear more advanced language, then they will start to speak it more eloquently.
Take a trip to the library!
Make it a regular habit for you to take a trip to the local library. This is definitely a way that may help. Another way to encourage reading among young children (3-5 years old) is to tell them a story before bed or at another time and encourage them to follow the words with your finger.
You can choose books for different ages and skill sets and you can teach them how a library works. You could choose picture books at first if they are very young. It’s a nice way for them to be social too and meet others.
How to encourage them to learn
First, explain to them the importance and responsibility in learning. Illustrate how it will help them in the future. Get to know their views on education and what they enjoy about studying. Whether that is reading, art, or learning science information and doing experiments. All kids have a thirst for knowledge in one way or another.
What do they think about school, and the subjects taught there?
If they could change anything, what subject would they add? It is important to talk to the children and create a dialogue in which you can address their feelings and concerns. Avoid comparisons and criticism. No one likes to be compared to others or criticized.
If you still want to make a point, do it wisely and if you do not know how to ask for help. Don’t say that their brother or sister is doing better than them as this will cause rivalry.
