As parents, we all want our children to develop strong reading skills. But more than that, we hope they’ll discover the joy and wonder that books can bring. Finding the right reading program for kids is crucial in this journey. The ideal program doesn’t just teach reading effectively; it ignites a passion for stories, words, and learning that can last a lifetime.
If you’re wondering how to choose a reading program that not only supports literacy development but also encourages a love of reading for your child, this article is for you. The Reading.com team shares how to find reading programs that make early reading fun and exciting for kids, not a chore.
How to Engage Your Kids in Effective Reading Programs
When looking for a reading program that makes reading instruction enjoyable, first know that there are proven teaching methods that help children learn to read. It requires an explicit, systematic approach based on the science of reading, which is a collection of research that proves how humans obtain the ability to read. Kids need to learn the most basic literacy concepts gradually, working their way up to more advanced as they practice and master each skill. This way, there’s a good balance of motivation and challenge, encouraging skill development and confidence so the student feels empowered on their literacy journey. This is key!
When it comes to enjoyment, there are a few proven features that encourage your child to practice and progress.
1. There’s a Sense of Play
Play and engagement are crucial for pre-readers and early readers who are just learning to read. Whether you’re introducing your child to their first letter sounds or they’re ready to start reading words on their own, play is important to children’s learning process. The goal is to find a reading program or educational app that is consistent enough to build discipline and also entertaining enough to maintain the child’s interest. This makes reading feel less like work and more like fun.
2. It’s Interactive
Interactive exercises are another thing to look for in reading programs. These exercises keep young readers engaged with features like tracing, touchscreen activities, drag-and-drop practices, or adventure exercises. Interactive features help kids feel autonomous and involved, making the reading experience interesting.
Additionally, some online reading programs—such as Reading.com— encourage parent involvement so that the child doesn’t need to rely on the program alone. Parents can observe their child’s strengths and weaknesses, guiding them personally through the program. This adds an element of bonding and positive interaction.
3. There’s a Variety of Reading Materials
A good reading program should offer a variety of reading materials to meet children’s interests according to their stage of development. Plus, variety helps children discover new topics they want to learn about and can prevent boredom that comes with monotonous practice. When choosing a reading program that focuses on enjoyment, check that it includes both fiction and non-fiction, different story genres, and decodable books that increase in skill level as your child advances.
4. It Adapts to Students’ Progress
Every child has their own strengths, struggles, and interests. More importantly, every child learns at their own pace. An effective reading program should be able to adapt its lessons to each child’s progress, providing just the right level of challenge to keep them engaged without causing overwhelm or frustration. Additionally, reading programs that learn from a child’s preferences and suggest similar content can help maintain their enthusiasm for reading.
A Parent’s Role in Their Child’s Love of Reading
Although a high-quality reading program can build up your child’s interest in reading, you also play a significant role in this. Your participation matters. More importantly, it possibly means the world to them. To make reading a priority in your home, here are some tips.
Create a Positive Reading Environment
What is your attitude toward reading like? The example you set for your kids is bound to impact them. For instance, if you share a joy and enthusiasm for books, you set a positive example. If no one in your family owns a single book and gives up on reading long-form content easily, your child might never know that reading is a valuable activity.
Think about how you can create a home environment where reading is welcomed, easily available, and celebrated. To do this, you can set up a designated reading area or home reading nook, read as a family, read aloud to your child, and encourage your kids to choose the books they want to read.
Use Multiple Reading Programs
Reading programs are not one silver bullet to raising a strong reader, even though they can surely help. Think of these programs as supporting tools to help your child learn, practice, and master reading skills at home. What they learn in the classroom (or at homeschool) can be supplemented by fun reading programs including at-home curriculum, games, and even learning apps.
Give Emotional Support
Learning to read is challenging for many children. It’s not a skill that anyone breezes through with total ease. Give your child encouragement and emotional support through their literacy journey. Be patient with their challenges and celebrate their progress. Be intentional about positive reinforcement, consistent practice, and making the experience meaningful to both of you.
Make Reading a Shared Experience
When you read with your child, you create moments of bonding. You also create positive memories, resulting in your child associating books with positive emotions. This is great! Making reading a shared family experience isn’t just about stories or words on a page. It’s about warmth, comfort, laughs, safety, and giving each other attention.
Reading.com: Helping Your Kids Cultivate a Lifelong Love of Reading
At Reading.com, we help families help their kids learn to read and foster a lifelong love of reading. We aim to provide educational resources and fun reading apps that are educational, enjoyable, and most of all, effective!
Whether you’re looking for an at-home reading program to help your child begin learning the alphabet or you want to support your early reader with decodable books, the Reading.com app was developed with the science of reading so any child can make progress while having fun. Plus, since we know how important your involvement is during your child’s reading education, we make it easy for parents to engage with every activity in the app so that no new skill gets overlooked.
Want to help your kids fall in love with reading early on? Download the Reading.com app today to get a 7-day free trial. We make it easy to explore the amazing world of literacy education with your kids!