Updated April 2024
Reading with your child is an incredibly important activity that can have a profound impact on their overall development. BUT! There’s more to reading than you think!
It’s not enough to simply read to your child; you must read to them and with them- WITH INTENTION.
Intentional reading involves actively engaging with the text and using the reading experience to foster important skills such as spelling, comprehension, creativity, and empathy.
In this article, we’ll explore six ways parents can sit with their child and read with focus, as well as the many advantages gained from intentional reading.
Ask Questions
One of the most effective ways to read intentionally with your child is to ask them questions as you go. This helps to ensure that they’re comprehending the text and engaging with the story on a deeper level. Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think is going to happen next?” or “How do you think the character feels?” You can also ask more specific questions to help your child recall details from the story.
Make Connections
Another great way to read intentionally with your child is to help them make connections between the story and their own lives. For example, if the main character is going through a tough time, you might ask your child if they’ve ever experienced something similar. This helps your child to develop empathy and relate to the characters in the story on a more personal level.
Encourage Visualization
Reading is a powerful tool for developing creativity and imagination. Encourage your child to visualize the scenes in the story as you read. You can ask them to describe what they see in their mind’s eye, or you can provide prompts to help them build a mental picture of the setting and characters.
Focus on Spelling
Reading is also an effective way to improve your child’s spelling skills. As you read, you can point out difficult words and ask your child to sound them out. You can also ask them to spell certain words as they come up in the story. This helps your child to build a stronger foundation in language and literacy.
Practice Concentration
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever for children to develop strong concentration skills. Reading is a great way to help them do this. Encourage your child to focus on the story and avoid distractions as you read. This helps them to build the focus and attention skills they’ll need to succeed in school and life.
Use Reading for Academic Advantages
Finally, intentional reading can have a significant impact on your child’s academic success. Studies have shown that children who read regularly perform better in school across all subjects. This is because reading helps to build vocabulary, comprehension skills, and critical thinking abilities. By reading intentionally with your child, you can help them to gain a competitive edge in the classroom.
The advantages of intentional reading go far beyond academic success, however. Reading can also help children to develop important social and emotional skills. By engaging with characters in the story and making connections to their own lives, children develop empathy and a greater understanding of the world around them. Additionally, reading can be a source of comfort and relaxation for children, providing them with an escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Intentional reading is a powerful tool for parents who want to foster their child’s development.
By asking questions, making connections, encouraging visualization, focusing on spelling, practising concentration, and using reading for academic advantages, parents can help their children gain a wide range of skills and advantages. From spelling and comprehension to creativity, imagination, empathy, and academic success, intentional reading can have a profound impact on your child’s life. So, grab a book and start reading with your child today!