Reading Tips for 5-8 year olds

Make reading fun! Be Positive: Praise your child for trying hard with their reading. Let them know it’s all right to make mistakes.

Reading Environment: Turn Off the TV! With no distractions, you can concentrate properly on the reading and enjoy the reading together.

Give Them Time: Let them make a guess before you tell them the word. Encourage your child to sound out the word.

Use the Pictures: Take time to look at the pictures first. See what clues are in the pictures. Encourage your child to make predictions after spending time discussing the pictures.

Point with a Finger: Encourage them to follow the words with their finger until they become more confident readers, model how to follow with your finger.

If the text is too hard – you read to them. Always promote a positive attitude towards reading, encouraging your child to develop a love of reading.

Let Them Read Their Favourites: Don’t worry if they want to read the same books over and over. It’s good practice.

Ask Lots of Questions About the Story: Check they understand the story they haveread by asking them questions about what has happened. See if they remember what they read last time. Discuss the cover page of the book and try to predict what the story will be about.

Start Writing: Encourage them to read back their own writing.

Don’t Read for Too Long: A good ten minutes is better than a difficult half hour!

Make it Regular: Ten minutes every night is much better than an odd hour once in a while.