Learning to read undoubtedly divides the history of the teaching-learning process in two. Together with play and orality, it is the starting point of education; in short, it is one of the bases or foundations of knowledge.

That is why it is important to encourage children to learn to read, because reading is a wonderful world that opens the doors to new experiences, scenarios, situations and worlds where everything is possible, facilitates their socialization and expression in all senses and is vital for the understanding of any study.But also, teaching children how to learn subtraction is another way to make inroads in their education: teaching is the basis of everything!

When learning to read there are certain skills to develop that you should take into account with your children, here we tell you what they are:

Cognitive skills you should have

Phonological awareness

This refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate speech sounds. Children must be able to identify and separate individual sounds in words in order to understand how words work together. Also, remember that if children can identify sounds, they can also imitate them, and that is a positive when it comes to understanding them.

Short-term verbal memory

This has to do with the ability to remember information for a short period of time. Children must be able to remember letters, sounds and words in order to recognize and read them.

Attention and concentration

The ability to concentrate on a task for a period of time. Children must be able to pay attention to words and sounds in order to learn to read. They must have this attention control for age-appropriate periods of time.

Visual discrimination

 The child must have the ability to distinguish shapes and visual details. In addition, they must be able to recognize individual letters and words in order to read and comprehend what they read.

Logical Reasoning

This means that the child has the ability to make connections and recognize patterns. Children must be able to connect sounds with letters and words in order to read.

Processing speed

The ability to process information quickly is vital to learning to read. Children must be able to process sounds and words quickly in order to read fluently and have reading comprehension.

Comprehension

The ability to understand the meaning of words and sentences. Children must be able to understand what they are reading in order to make connections with their prior knowledge. This is why it is important to choose appropriate texts, i.e., according to their interests and age, when they are beginning to read.

Methods for learning to read

It must be taken into account that in addition to the skills, the correct methods must be used for the child to learn to read. These methods can be:

Phonics method

This method focuses on teaching letter sounds and how they combine to form words. Children learn letter sounds, as well as common letter combinations, so that they can begin to read words.

Whole word method

This method teaches children to recognize whole words rather than individual sounds. Children learn to recognize common words visually and memorize them in order to read them.

Guided Reading Method

This method involves an adult or more advanced partner reading aloud while the child follows along with the finger reading. This helps the child understand how the words connect and what fluent reading looks like.

Immersion method

 This method involves surrounding the child with reading materials and opportunities to read. Children have access to a wide variety of reading materials and can read at any time they wish, which helps them develop reading skills naturally.

Blended learning method

 This method uses a combination of teaching techniques to suit the individual child's needs. It may include elements of phonics, whole word and guided reading methods to create a personalized approach for each child.

With the skills to acquire clear, to learn to read and the methods to apply, there are only a few recommendations to put in place so that children learn to read easily. Here are the best tips for parents and teachers:

Top 10 TIPS for Teachers and Parents

Encourage a love of reading

Children are more likely to read if they enjoy the activity. Teachers and parents can foster a love of reading by reading aloud, providing access to a variety of interesting reading materials, and making reading fun. Look for readings that match their interests.

Teaching letter sounds

Teaching letter sounds is an important component of teaching reading. Children can learn letter sounds through songs, games, and interactive activities.

Use repetition

Repetition is a useful tool for teaching reading. Teachers and parents can repeat words and phrases to help children memorize and recognize them more easily.

Using the phonics method

The phonics method focuses on teaching letter sounds and how they combine to form words. Teachers and parents can use this method to help children learn to read.

Provide positive feedback

 Children need positive feedback to motivate them to keep reading. Teachers and parents can praise children's efforts and acknowledge their accomplishments to encourage their motivation. Listen to them carefully when they read aloud.

Use picture books

 Picture books help children make connections between words and their meanings. Teachers and parents can use picture books to help children understand what they are reading.

Teach vocabulary

 Children need to learn the meaning of words in order to read with comprehension. Teachers and parents can teach vocabulary through games and interactive activities.

Encourage daily practice

Daily practice is important to help children develop reading skills. Teachers and parents can encourage daily reading practice by providing reading materials and opportunities to read.

Be patient

Learning to read can be a slow process for some children. Teachers and parents should be patient and provide support and encouragement to help children overcome challenges.

Work collaboratively

 Teachers and parents can work together to support children's learning to read. Collaboration can include sharing ideas, providing feedback, and working together to create a positive learning environment. Look for children's classics that they enjoy and that have beautiful illustrations, as well as others that can be drawn or painted. 

Audiobooks also work very well to start with as they keep children attentive and while they listen they can follow the story little by little. Reading from the time the child is a baby has very good results, so put it into practice even from pregnancy.

To put all these tips into practice, you can read the easy short story on kindness

Conclusion

Now that you have some tools to make reading easier for your little ones, cheer up and put them into action, you will see how sooner than you think children will be starting to read. Remember that if they see you reading they will be encouraged to start in the world of reading and it will be easier for them to understand and enjoy, recreate stories with them and listen to them, they will surely learn while they have fun and share together. We encourage you, once you know how to read, to acquire an educational watch for the hours of Kiddus and learn the hours!

Plus, if your child likes sleepovers with friends, one of the best ideas for sleepovers is to read books with friends - the more they interact with each other the better!