Dr. Seuss famously penned, “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Helping children develop a love of reading and a desire to learn can give them limitless potential. With time, understanding, and some basic tools such as online elementary reading programs, parents and teachers motivate readers and create a lifelong interest in learning. Sounds easy, right?
The problem is, not every child is a confident, eager reader. Human nature dictates that we do what makes us most comfortable – and if reading is a struggle or feels confusing, children will naturally avoid it. As teachers and parents, it is our responsibility to address any underlying issues and take the stress out of learning to read.
Online elementary reading programs for schools can help with activities and exercises that make reading feel a little less scary. Once the child views reading as a pleasurable or even a fun activity, then the real learning can begin.
Here’s how you can help your kids develop a lifelong love of reading:
1. Share Their Excitement. Let the child choose the subject. If your son dreams of owing a horse, then let him share his excitement and encourage him to learn as much as he can about taking care of them. If your daughter loves superheroes, let her choose comic books as reading materials.
2. Provide a Variety of Media. Visiting the public or school library is an excellent way to inspire wonder and encourage a love of reading, but there are other resources available. Some of the best reading programs for elementary schools are available online and provide comprehensive, research-based activities and lessons that are fun to share.
3. Compare Notes. It can be so much fun to read the same story and then see how differently each reader perceives the characters and even the plot. Discussing elements of the story encourages independent thought and expression, and that ultimately builds confidence and inspires kids to want to learn more.
4. Offer Rewards. Find what motivates your child and use it when necessary. Sometimes, the child wants nothing more than to spend quality one-on-one time with a parent. Others respond to treats. Online elementary reading programs offer a wide variety of visual and auditory rewards to engage children and inspire further reading.
Essential Skills elementary reading programs for schools contain thousands of interactive activities in phonemic awareness and phonics, word recognition, vocabulary, spelling, comprehension, grammar, and writing. As one of the best reading programs for elementary schools, Essential Skills has been trusted by educators for over 20 years and has a long-standing track record of producing measurable results. Visit online at Essential Skills today and take the first step in instilling a lifelong love of learning in your child.