I still remember how powerless I felt before I learned to read. The grown-ups around me could understand everything: books, newspapers, utility bills, road signs, shop names and even the captions on TV. My big brother could do it, too. To me, their ability seemed like a superpower. I was curious, envious and desperate to catch up.
Not every child is as eager as I was. For many, seeing other people reading feels more intimidating than inspiring. While schools do their best to get everyone on the same page, many children just don’t get along with approaches that work well for others. All of a sudden, books are no longer an enjoyable part of family life –they’ve become homework. So how can we support our children – particularly those who struggle – while they get to grips with independent reading?
I firmly believe in keeping the focus on fun. After a tiring day at school, young children still love cuddling up and enjoying time together. Sharing a book for fun is a great way of shifting the focus away from schoolwork. The more we can make every single reading encounter a positive one, the easier it becomes.