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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image by mrsdkrebs via Flickr.com Many children just love reading books naturally. However, some children do not. If your child is not feeling the love for books or you want to get a head start, try talking to other parents. Look for parents whose children always seem to be engrossed in books. Chances are, they'll have some wonderful tips. As a mother of voracious readers, I've learned several things on the way. Great ways to increase your child's love for books can come from both simple and unexpected places.
Read every day. Reading to your child every day can go a long way in instilling a love from reading. Starting this ritual while the child is still in the womb can also make the reading more familiar, which can help a child naturally enjoy reading. If you can, read with your child more than once per day. Be sure that once your child can read, you read to him once per day, but that he also reads to himself at least once per day. Both oral and visual stimulation are needed in order for a child to fully grasp the knowledge and love of reading and books. Let your child choose the stories. There are some times when your child will have to read particular books. But be sure that your child also gets to make her own selections regularly. Children will be more receptive to reading if it isn't always about what someone else wants. It's perfectly fine if some things they choose are not exactly educational. Let them have some fun with reading too. They're more likely to learn from reading if they are interested in it. Attend story time at the library. When kids see that others are interested in reading, it can open them up to its value. Story time can also be quite fun. Often there are activities involved in the story that your child can participate in. Story time may involve instruments, puppets, dancing, singing, stomping, shouting, and more. This helps make books more fun for your child. It also helps to provide a more rounded exposure to books. Have a family reading circle. When reading is made into a family event, it can help create a natural love for books. This is because most kids respond to something that is done repetitively and with those they love. To create a family reading circle, gather comfortable furniture (such as pillows, bean bags, or cozy chairs) in a circle shape and choose a few books. Each person can take turns passing the book around and reading a few lines. For older children, novels that are read from a few chapters at a time are good as well. Play reading games. Much like story time, reading games bring out the fun and imagination that comes from books. There is no right or wrong way to read a story. It can be read straight from cover to cover or it can be acted out or used as a base for a game. Teaching a child to love books does not have to be boring. Remember, you want them to know there is fun to be had. I like to invent games to play with my kids during reading, such as "Stop and Read" and "Reading Charades." Use nothing but the book, use costumes and props, and even use pre-packaged reading games. There's no limit to the games and fun to be had while reading books. Be sure you instill that in your child through consistent action. In no time he'll have a love for books you never dreamed was possible.
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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image by BruceMatsunaga via Flickr.com Teaching kids to read isn't all textbook. Learn to have some fun and they'll enjoy learning to read. As a mom and homeschool teacher, I have invented plenty of games over the years. Game play is good for kids who learn by doing. It's also just plain fun. Reading Charades is a great way to instill comprehension skills in reading.
Materials and Game Preparation To play Reading Charades, you'll need a book and chairs for all players. The parent or teacher also needs to make cards using characters, events, and places from the story. Everyone should be seated in a circle with enough room in the middle for one person to perform. If this is your group's first time playing or the kids are younger, you may want to use a story everyone is familiar with. Game Play Instructions The first part of game play involves reading the book. Make sure the kids know they need to pay attention to the story. Kids can take turns passing the book around to read the story. For older groups of kids, be sure to choose a challenging story. You may also want to assign their reading ahead of time, since their stories will be longer. Once the story has been read, it's time for the first player to choose a card. He or she needs to read the card silently and not let on what's written. Then, it's time to act out what's on the card and get the other players to guess. In the beginning, it should be specified whether it's a character, event, or location. Other than that, there should be no talking or sound effects. Everyone else should be shouting out guesses as they have them. Whomever guesses correctly first is the next player. Game play goes on until there are no more cards left (or the parent or teacher is ready to move onto something else). If there are kids who are not getting a turn, try to make the reading game last long enough so that everyone gets a chance. Some players might get more than one turn if they are good guessers. Some kids may need assistance from a parent or teacher when it comes to reading the cards or thinking of ideas for acting them out. If the kids move through the cards quickly, you might need to create a bigger deck or use more than one story. Benefits of Group Reading Activities There are many benefits of reading activities, such as Reading Charades. Children can gain or expand on critical skills that may have been missing or misunderstood during regular lessons. Another thing to remember is that not all children learn in the same way. Some may do better with a hands-on reading activity. Comprehension, vocabulary, and working together as a team are just some of the things kids can gain from doing group reading activities. by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Teaching kids to read can be rewarding, but it also can be frustrating for some. Daily activities that blend in with the normal routine can be beneficial. This technique is especially helpful to reluctant learners. However, it can be used when teaching most kids how to read. As a former nanny and a current home school teacher and parent, I have taught plenty of kids how to read by using simple daily techniques.
Identifying Objects With Phonics Whenever you hand your child an item, say the letter and sound it starts with, followed by the name. For instance, if you give your child a cup, you can say "C" then the sound, followed by "Cup. Here is your cup." This daily activity can set the foundation for reading comprehension. Phonic House Walk Using the daily activity mentioned above, walk around the house with your child. Point to and pick up objects, identifying them with phonics. Not only does this help with reading, spelling, language, and comprehension, but it familiarizes your child with the surroundings. If you label certain items with the corresponding word, it makes the phonic house walk even more effective. Reading Well, you may have expected this daily activity to be on the list. Nonetheless it needs to be included. Reading is essential when learning to read. Huh? That almost doesn't make sense. But of course, the parent will be the one reading at first. Point at the letters and read slowly, sounding out words, so that the child understands how you are reading. Ease into the child reading certain words onto complete sentences and entire books. Daily family reading circles are great for this technique. Daily Phonics Games Playing phonics and reading games daily also can help in teaching kids to read. These can be board games, computer games, or DIY games like Spelling Memory, Stop and Read, and Make This Sentence. Flash cards are also great for this and can be used in a traditional way or as part of a more detailed game. If you make up your own games, try to keep the rules simple and the game lighthearted and fun. This will help hold the child's interest. Letter Writing Practice Writing the letters daily can help kids further identify with the alphabet. It's especially helpful if the child is asked to state the letter's name and the sound it makes when writing it. The child can even copy words and sentences before knowing how to read. This action can increase understanding of the way words, sentences, and stories are formed. Comprehending that is an essential skill when it comes to reading. More Reading Activities on Life Successfully *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved In addition to regular reading, related activities and games are great for practicing and developing essential skills. Not all children learn in the same way. As a homeschool teacher and parent, it's common practice to come up with such games and activities for the kids. Here's one of the homemade games I play with my kids called Make this Sentence.
Materials
Making the Game To create Make this Sentence, the first step is creating a list of sentences. These should be formed based on reading and writing levels. Sight words are a great base for these. Now, cut the index cards in fourths. Write the words for each of the sentences on the index cards. Each word should have its own card. Common words can be written on two or three cards. Playing Make this Sentence This game can be played with two or more players or teams. One person needs to be assigned to reading out the sentences. This can be a parent, teacher, or student. The same person also gets to keep score. Spread the cards out in the middle of a table or floor. The words should be face-up so that the kids can easily see them. When the first sentence is read out, the timer needs to be set for one minute. The first player or team needs to create the sentence with the cards. If the sentence is created before the minute is up, the player or team gets the point. If not, no points are awarded. For a variation, some might give the point to whomever is next when a player or team doesn't create the sentence in time. Move on to the next player or team and continue in the same fashion. Beneficial Skills from the Game When used in conjunction with regular reading, games and activities can help children develop and enhance reading skills. Whether children are hesitant to read or they enjoy it thoroughly, Make this Sentence can be beneficial in many ways. Hand-eye coordination is practiced in the act of searching for the right cards and assembling the sentences. Important organizational skills are taught when the child arranges the sentences in the proper order. This action also is another form of reading practice. The child has to read the words in order to create the sentences. More Reading Activities on Life Successfully *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network A Fun Game to Motivate Kids to Readby Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Reading practice is essential to a child's development. Getting creative with reading can be not only fun, but rewarding to the child as well as the parent. As a parent who strives to implement fun and exciting ways to enjoy reading into the lives of my children, as well as many others, I have invented many activities that encourage children to read. "Stop and Read" is one of those activities. Below you will find instructions on this activity.
Materials Needed
Instructions For Playing the Game Before beginning the Stop and Read game, a teacher or parent should seat the children in a circle. This game will be played in increments. The first book should be placed in one of the children's hands. Set the timer or stopwatch for 3 minutes. The child with the book will read out loud from the book until the time is up. Once the time is up, the teacher will say "Pass The Book", at which point the timer should be re-set for 30 seconds. The children will then pass the book around the circle clockwise until the time is up. The person using the timer will yell out "Stop And Read" once the time is up. Whomever is in possession of the book will read for 3 minutes, just like the first child did. The game should continue for at least 20 minutes, preferably longer, providing the children are interested. Benefits Of Playing Stop and Read There are many benefits to playing this game with children. This game provides oral reading skills, which are very helpful in school and in the workforce. A child can also learn how to share, as well as learn that not everything in life is fair because some children may get to read more often than others. Hand-eye coordination is also practiced when passing and receiving the book. The more a child reads, the more brain cells he or she will be gaining, which can contribute to absorbing knowledge well. Reading skills help a child to achieve in every academic subject. How To Handle Disagreements At times children might argue over who was in possession of the book. When this happens, one solution might be to hand the book back to the last reader and start the "Pass The Book" round over again. Some children might complain if others get to read more often. One solution could be to just encourage the children to continue play and let them know there's a chance they might get to read on another round. Each instance will be different, so base your response to the child's argument on each child and situation. Just be sure that your response incites positive behavior from the child. Remember Every child is different. While some children will enjoy and benefit from this activity, there is no guarantee that every child will. Use your own discretion when implementing ideas into a child's curriculum or educational activities. ~ ~ Have you tested this activity with a group of children? Did you enjoy reading this content? Do you have another activity suggestion? This author welcomes and appreciates your feedback in the comments section below. More Reading Activities on Life Successfully *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Memory (sometimes called Concentration) is a classic game loved by many - kids and adults alike. Have you ever thought about using it to help teach kids how to read? In our homeschool, I like to get creative with the teaching to keep the kids interested. Here's how to make and play Spelling Memory. Use it as both a fun craft and an interactive learning game.
Materials
Making the Game Parents or teachers can make this game themselves or turn making the game into a fun craft for the kids. Have handy a list of sight words or spelling words for the appropriate level. First cut out even-sized squares from the poster board to write the words on. Once they are all cut out, write each word on two squares. This is so that each word has a match. Objective Kids who play this game regularly should be able to quickly recognize and read the words used in the game. Word recognition and reading practice are essential to succeed in reading, spelling, and other academic subjects. Playing the Game Playing Spelling Memory is about the same as the classic game, except that there are words instead of pictures. Shuffle all the word cards by placing them on a table or floor face down. This is sometimes referred to as kindergarten shuffle because even small children can participate. Once the cards have been mixed well, line them up next to each other to form an even pattern, such as a square or rectangle. Keep them all face down. The first player needs to turn over two cards from any two locations. If the cards match, that player keeps those cards as a match. Each time a match is gained, that player takes another turn. This continues until no matches have been made. It is then time to move on to the next player and repeat the process. The game goes on until there are no more matches left. Count each player's matches or cards. Whomever has the highest number is the winner. Lessons from the Game Spelling Memory can help teach children their sight or spelling words. Regular word practice is essential to spelling and reading comprehension. Distinguishing whether words are a match or not can help with recognition, thinking skills, and reading practice. The game can be used to practice for tests, enhance skills, or even just for fun. More Reading Activities on Life Successfully *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Family time is a precious commodity. Yet, many families do not spend time together as often as they should. There are many ways to spend time without spending money. One of these ways is to create a special reading circle.
Here you will learn how to host a reading circle. This can be done with just members of the family or it can be done with a large group of people. If the latter is chosen, you may want to split people into groups of four of five so that everyone gets a turn. Mix the ages up in each group for diverse reading. Objective: This family time event has two objectives. One goal is for families to open communication as well as to grow closer and gain a better understanding of each other. The second goal is deeper reading comprehension. When stories are openly discussed by people of varied ages, it will help aid in greater comprehension. Materials:
Directions: Everyone should sit in a half circle around the center seating object. The first reader sits in or on the center object and begins to read. Each reader should read for 10 minutes each. Then, the cycle should begin again. Repeat the process until each person has read for at least 20 - 30 minutes. After each person reads, the listeners and the reader should discuss the book a bit. A good focal point for discussion could be open-ended question, such as "What would have happened if the story ended like this instead of this". Open-ended questions lead to greater and more in-depth discussion. However, keep in mind that you will also want to have basic questions as well, so that everyone understands the story fully. After the story time ends, it is good to have easy snacks out. These can be set up ahead of time. To keep it simple, try using snacks that are mainly finger food, to avoid a long preparation. That way, they can be prepared quickly and easily and stored in the refrigerator on trays. When you are ready, they can be easily pulled out and placed on a table or counter for easy access. Don't forget napkins and dessert-size paper plates More Reading Activities on Life Successfully *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Teaching kids to love books can sometimes seem hopeless. But it's actually quite simple. Start with books from the very beginning and they'll never know life without them. If you haven't done that, it's not too late to pick up the habits still applicable to take them down the path to loving books. It's never too late for teaching kids to love books. As a former nanny and current mom and homeschool teacher, I have used a variety of effective methods on a good number of children. Perhaps my experience in teaching kids to love books will help you do the same.
Start in the Womb Talking and reading to Baby while pregnant gives a good head start on a love for reading. It may seem silly at first thought, but your baby can hear your voice and other sounds outside the womb. Go to the library and get some great books to read to your Baby while inside the womb. You can even attend storytime. Many baby stores sell special headphones with a microphone attached made especially for parents to talk to their child while in the womb. Simply place the headphones strategically on Mom's pregnant belly and speak into the microphone. I did this with all of my children. It was fun to see and feel their kicks when myself and other family members read to them. Read to them Daily Once a child is born, read to them daily. While they may not at first know what you are talking about, fostering a love for the written and spoken word starts with habit. By establishing a routine that includes reading books, kids will just naturally love them. Reading books together is great for bonding, enhancing imagination skills, and for relaxation modes like naptime and bedtime. Really anytime is a good time for reading books and by making that clear, you are teaching the kids to love books. Let them See You Read If you always insist upon the kids reading, but don't do it yourself, they may not understand the value of books. Let the kids see you with magazines and books. When it's their reading time, be sure that you read something for yourself. This may be your college textbooks, a novel, or a lifestyle or career magazine. It doesn't matter what you read, as long as they can see you also have a love for reading. Join Library Clubs and Visit Library Often The library is an amazing resource for helping kids love books. Of course they can check out books with their very own library card. But they can also participate in storytime, reading and educational activities, and even free reading programs. Many libraries offer a special reading program during the summer that allows kids to earn prizes and awards based on the number of books they complete. Check with your local library to see what they offer. Stock Plenty of Books Keeping plenty of books around is a must when establishing a love for reading. This can mean having a family collection or visiting the library often. Doing both is also a good idea. However, if you wish to be as earth-conscious as possible, utilize the library for as many books as possible. How the books are acquired is not as important as the fact that they are there. Play Reading Games Playing reading games helps make the thought of books and reading fun for kids. Choose a variety of activities and games to keep them interested. Reading games might use books to accompany them and some may just use reading as a basis. More Reading Activities on Life Successfully *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN Archives
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