People often ask me about raising readers, and how to raise children with read-aloud confidence. They want to know how I grew three little bookworms. I always recommend reading this book. I give it to every new parent in my life and wish it was required reading for every school administrator out there!
If you want to raise readers, it is important to read aloud early and often, to surround your children with print in all forms, and to enjoy the written word. Surround your child with positive reading experiences; build those early reading memories. And be a good example! Let your children see you reading.
But let’s face it: even if you raise readers, some readers are more confident than others.
Many children are extremely uncomfortable when asked to read aloud. And they aren’t alone! Many adults will blush and stammer when asked to read aloud. Still, reading aloud is a skill that should not be overlooked. Reading aloud builds fluency, boosts comprehension, and engages those important critical thinking skills.
How to Boost Your Child’s Read-Aloud Confidence
I have three children, but three very different readers. My boys read aloud with reckless abandon to anyone within earshot, but my daughter was hesitant. She preferred to read quietly, often to a pet or a favorite doll. We gave her the space she needed and, in time, she grew into a confident reader and will now happily read aloud to anyone who will listen.
If you have a child who is hesitant to read aloud, don’t stress. There are ways to boost his or her confidence little by little. Continue doing what you are already doing, but add in these helpful tricks.
1. Modeling mistakes helps to boost read-aloud confidence
Let your child see you stumble while reading. It is important for children to understand that everyone struggles to read aloud sometimes. Make a mistake, laugh about it if you need to, and then move happily along.
2. Let your child gain read-aloud confidence during quiet time
When my daughter was learning to read, she wanted to read in solitude. At first, I worried that she wasn’t actually reading aloud- but a quick listen at her door told me that she was. Some children need to practice and gain confidence alone and that is okay.
3. Sometimes reading aloud to a younger child or sibling can grow confidence
It can be intimidating to read to an adult. I’ll never forget the first time I saw my daughter read aloud to her younger brother. She did not know I was watching and her confidence was through the roof. She read with emphasis and with a smile. Another time, she read to a young child during her brothers’ karate class. Each week, she would select books to read to the little girl and every week her read alouds improved.
4. Gain read-aloud confidence by reading to a favorite toy
When the thought of reading to a grown-up is just too much, why not read to a favorite doll or stuffed animal? Just as with reading to pets, there is no judgment!
5. Reading aloud to a pet can boost confidence
There is a reason why read to pet programs are so popular! When my daughter was first starting to read, she would read to our dog. She continues to read to him daily and it is the sweetest tradition. We always joke that he is the most well-read pooch in town. Dogs do not cast judgment or issue critiques and corrections. They love you no matter what you read, or how you read.
6.Reading aloud while mom is busy can take the pressure off
Sometimes it is the eye contact that bothers young readers. It is often easier to read aloud while mom is driving, or cooking dinner, or engaged in some other task. Your child will feel less on the spot and may open up more.
7. When in doubt, try puppets!
This is a trick I picked up from my counseling days. Sometimes it is easier to say things when you are not technically the one saying them. Why not let a favorite puppet read the book aloud? It might make mistakes a bit easier!
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Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: How do you help your children to gain read-aloud confidence? Share here.
Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley
Cait co-hosts The Homeschool Sisters Podcast and is co-founder of Raising Poppies, a community for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children. Cait is also founder of the Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, a fantastic community of book-loving parents and the Gameschool Community at My Little Poppies, a vibrant community of gameschoolers.
Cait is a contributing writer for Simple Homeschool. Her work has also appeared on The Huffington Post, The Mighty, Scary Mommy, GeekMom, and many others. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram
and G+.
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These are some absolutely fantastic ideas!! I’ve always loved the sound of those reading to pet programs! The pet loves the attention no matter what, and it’s easy to see how it would make a child feel so much more comfortable reading aloud. Also, that point about reading aloud while mom is busy is great! That “on the spot” feeling is removed and I think that’s because it seems like mom isn’t paying as much attention. 😉 Whatever it takes, right? As someone who still prefers to not read aloud at all, I can relate!