The Correct Way To Teach Reading.

By Margaret LubegaREADING, like swimming or driving is a skill. Learning how to use any kind of skill requires a certain level of both physical and mental maturity. Long before your child starts any reading task or activity, they need to be well prepared for it. If your child shows reluctance to read, it won’t help to force them.Any bad start in reading activities may not be very easy to correct later. If a child is started off wrongly, they may develop a dislike for reading which may last many years.A correct start therefore is very important and parents should give enough preparation for reading. Below are some tips activities that you can share with your child before they venture into actual reading:-- You can draw different shapes such as squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, ovals or crosses on pieces of paper. Each shape must appear on two or more pieces of paper. Ask the child to match them.--Use jigsaw puzzles in sharpening your child’s visual skills. Cut out pictures from old magazines or calendars. Mix up the pieces and ask the children to put the pictures together.--Give the child a series of pictures or shapes drawn on any piece of paper or card. Ask your child to select a picture that looks different from the rest.--Draw pictures on pieces of paper that have something missing. Let the child look at the picture and point out at what is missing.--Auditory skills are very important. When learning to read, the child’s hearing ability is as important as the ability to see. Here you can share in activities like singing, give a variety of sounds, rhyme words.--Read stories aloud--Create a small corner for these activities if you have space in your house.Your child is ready to read when she or he is ready. The actual age varies with maturity.The writer is a lecturer at Kyambogo University.Ends