Learning to read doesn’t have to feel like a lesson. In fact, the best way to get your child excited about reading is to make it feel like play. Whether your child is just starting to recognize letters or sounding out their first words, here are five fun and gentle ways to support their journey.
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1. Read Aloud Every Day (Even If It's the Same Book Again!)
Repetition builds confidence. If your little one asks for the same book five nights in a row — that’s a good sign! They're building memory, recognizing words, and finding comfort in rhythm.
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2. Point to Words as You Read
Using your finger to follow the words helps children connect sounds with letters. They begin to understand that we read left to right, top to bottom — it’s like a reading road map!
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3. Play With Letter Sounds Around the House
Spot a cereal box? A shampoo bottle? Ask, “What letter does this start with?” or “Can you find the letter ‘M’?” Turn everyday moments into tiny reading adventures.
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4. Pick Books With Predictable Text
Choose stories with repeated phrases (“Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?”) or rhyming patterns. It helps children anticipate what comes next and join in with confidence.
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5. Let Them “Read” to You
Even if they’re just telling the story from memory or making it up — let them! It builds narrative skills and makes them feel like real readers (which they are).
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Final Tip:
Make reading time cozy and stress-free. No pressure. No tests. Just a shared moment with a story.
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