Parents often feel unequipped when it comes to aiding their child in mastering literacy skills. Given the abundance of advice available, it can be challenging to determine the best starting point.

Interestingly, literacy, like any other skill, follows the same principle – practice makes perfect. Whether it’s baking, running, or coding, improvement comes through consistent practice, and literacy is no exception.

In this article, we dissect some straightforward techniques to assist your child in gaining the essential reading practice for success. These ideas encompass reading to your kids, providing engaging activities during reading time, and incorporating printable tools such as a Novel Discussion Guide for Parents or Vocabulary Toolkits. With these approaches, you’ll have them mastering reading skills in no time!

Understanding literacy challenges nationwide

If you’ve observed a slowdown in your child’s reading progress in recent years, you’re not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on educational outcomes, with notable drops in reading and math scores across schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, from 2019 to 2022, fourth and eighth-grade reading scores decreased by 3 points, reaching their lowest levels in several years.

Unfortunately, the decline in reading readiness persisted beyond the pandemic, with only half of 3rd-grade students on track for learning to read by the end of 2022. Additionally, half of the nation’s kindergarteners began school in need of intensive intervention in early literacy skills, as reported by Amplify.

In response to these educational setbacks, schools nationwide are implementing reading interventions. New York City’s public schools, for instance, revamped their reading curriculum with new lesson plans, approved reading programs, and teacher training. In Alabama, the Alabama Literacy Act has been introduced to ensure third graders meet a minimum score on the state’s standardized reading assessment before advancing to fourth grade. Simultaneously, Chicago Public Schools invested in classroom resources, support, and instruction, resulting in a 5.9% increase in the number of students “meeting or exceeding expectations” in English Language Arts.

While structural changes occur at the district level, parents play a crucial role in enhancing their child’s reading skills at home. The key lies in encouraging consistent practice. Reading to your kids is a powerful strategy, as research shows that children exposed to one book daily by their parents will encounter around 290,000 more words by Kindergarten. For those with parents reading five books daily, this number rises to 1.4 million words.

The benefits of reading to children extend beyond age five. Older kids whose parents read to or with them demonstrate better vocabularies, academic performance, and a higher likelihood of reading for pleasure outside of school. Beyond literacy advantages, reading together provides valuable one-on-one time with older children. Asking analysis questions during reading not only offers insights into your child’s life but also allows you to impart important life lessons.

1. Read to your kids

Reading to your children holds immense significance, whether they are in the early stages of learning to read or devouring lengthy Harry Potter books. It’s never too early—or too late—to commence reading to your kids. Research indicates that young children exposed to one book daily from their parents will encounter at least 290,000 additional words by the time they enter Kindergarten. For kids whose parents read five books to them daily, this number increases to an impressive 1.4 million words—underscoring the importance of regular reading sessions.

Moreover, the advantages of reading to your kids extend well beyond the age of five. Older children whose parents continue reading to them or with them exhibit enhanced vocabularies, academic performance, and a greater likelihood of reading for enjoyment outside of school. Beyond the literacy benefits, reading together provides precious one-on-one time with your older child. Engaging in reading analysis questions during these sessions not only offers insights into your child’s life but also provides an opportunity to impart valuable life lessons.

2. “Do” as you read

Enhance your kids’ reading experience by providing them with activities to accompany their reading—graphic organizers prove to be an excellent choice!

These companion activities aid in maintaining focus on the material and extracting maximum value from the reading experience. Engaging in active reading prompts children to think critically about content, themes, figurative language, and various analytical aspects. Furthermore, incorporating activities while reading keeps them actively engaged, fostering consistent reading routines crucial for the development of lifelong literacy skills.

3. Discussion guides—for parents!

Seeking some assistance on how to actively participate? Explore this Parental Novel Discussion Guide designed to prompt parents with questions before, during, and after their child’s reading sessions. It proves beneficial for novels, smaller books, and even short stories.

Engaging your child in a conversation about their reading material not only encourages them to contemplate their experience but also helps them articulate their thoughts effectively. This guide facilitates a comprehensive review of essential story elements, assessment of the author’s choices, and establishing connections to other texts and their personal lives. Furthermore, by expressing interest in their literary pursuits, you demonstrate your role as a valuable resource and partner in their reading journey.

4. Vocabulary toolkits

As previously noted, cultivating a strong vocabulary is a fundamental advantage in the development of robust literacy skills. To ensure that children comprehend and retain crucial vocabulary from their reading, you can explore Education.com’s latest assortment of Vocabulary Toolkits.

This series of worksheets encourages children to establish connections between the words they acquire in enjoyable and creative ways. The current collection includes a cut-and-paste quilt, a map, and a graphic organizer. Experiment with these worksheets to keep your child actively engaged in the learning process while they read.