One of the most important skills that your child needs to learn is how to read fast. Reading is an essential skill, but knowing how to read fast and fluently will be a game-changer for them in the future.
According to statistics, only one-third of 10-year-old children can accurately read and understand a simple written story.
So, if you’re a parent whose children aren’t able to read or grasp concepts as fast as their peers, don’t worry. This comprehensive guide is here to help you out!
1. Read Out Loud
One major reason why kids aren’t able to pick up pace during their reading assignments is that neither they nor their tutors read out loud.
When children read a paragraph in their minds, there is a chance of them getting distracted or losing the flow of words. But if you read out loud while teaching them, they’ll be able to concentrate better.
Moreover, when they listen to stories, they’ll get a grasp of the pronunciation and the pace at which you’re reading out loud to them.
Try to read out loud while pointing at each word when you’re saying it. This will help them understand the story quickly.
2. Try Choral Reading
Choral reading might sound like a complex thing but it’s simply the practice of making your child read along with you.
You can also hire reading tutors online who use this method to help children pick up pace because it’s a fast and effective process. Even if your child is relatively slow at reading, they’ll learn to read faster once you or their tutor and your kid start saying the words out loud together.
This will help them to understand how fluent reading works and also give them the chance to practice reading at their own pace.
Don’t worry; it’s completely fine if you’re a bit ahead of them. It’ll only encourage them to read faster!
3. Incorporate Reading Every Day
Another great way to quicken your kid’s learning pace is incorporating at least 30 minutes of reading time every day.
While it’s true that your child might have other subjects to study or different kinds of recreational activities spread out throughout the day, reading can be mastered only through practice.
Every parent needs to devote a specific time each day and diligently practice with them. Make sure there are no distractions around, such as mobile phones or cartoons on the TV.
Once your kid picks up this habit, they’ll automatically want to read on their own after a while!
4. Practice spelling
Practice spelling is not just about memorising words; it’s about training your brain to recognise words and their sounds faster.
When your kid spells out words loud or writes them down, it helps them to improve their reading speed. Plus, the more familiar your child is with spelling, the less time they will spend stumbling over words.
Try to engage your child in spelling tricky words for at least 10 minutes a day and see the visible results. The more your child practices spelling, the more it will help them improve their reading skills.
5. Read More Short Texts
Young learners can’t keep up with long sentences. When a sentence or passage is too long, children feel confused and overwhelmed. They can’t grasp the meaning of the phrase and instead worry when it’ll end or whether they’re reading it right. This can severely impact their confidence and slow down their reading speed.
So, invest in books with short, simple, and engaging phrases. Begin with simple story books or age-appropriate books. These have simpler passages, helping them understand the phrases easily. Thus, they boost your child’s confidence, keep them interested, and enhance their reading speed.
6. Recruit An Audience
Just like grownups, kids are more likely to fumble on reading when they haven’t had enough exposure.
To help improve their pace, recruit a friendly family member or friend to be a part of the audience. These people will set up an inviting stage where your child will be able to perform without any stage fright.
Remember to ask someone close to your kid, and can positively encourage them, even if they get flustered or scared.
If that doesn’t work, you can create a goofy audience using stuffed animals or toys with which your child plays. This will help them read out loud with more expressions and interest.
Conclusion
If you wish to increase fluency and pace, try to relate the stories to real-life incidents. If your child can fully understand the gist, they’ll be able to connect the dots themselves. So, try out these creative methods today!
