Reading is one of the most essential skills for every child. It opens doors to a lifetime’s worth of learning opportunities. It promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving among kids.

While most parents turn to online tutoring for this, you must follow other significant steps to ensure your child truly falls in love with reading. So, make sure you follow these strategies!

1. Appoint the right reading tutor

Whether you’re busy with work, can’t get your child to settle down and read, or have some serious reading struggles, a professional online reading tutor can help.

However, research well before appointing a tutor. Make sure they are experienced and have specialized knowledge. This ensures they will offer personalized guidance and attention with flexible schedules.

They must be well-trained in guiding kids into reading sessions with exciting games, fun activities, and illustrated books. They’ll offer an engaging reading curriculum that fits the best for your child’s reading challenges.

From fluency and vocabulary to dyslexia and phonemic awareness, the right online tutoring program will offer all kinds of support. Further, you’ll also get regular progress reports to ensure your child is steadily improving.

You may consider using reading apps instead. However, your child won’t get as much attention and support as in the case of a tutor.

2. Follow a reading routine

Create a daily routine for just reading into your child’s schedule. This will encourage them to read every day consistently.

Block around 20-30 minutes for reading regularly. This can be before bed or after their online tutoring classes. Don’t distract them during this period so they can get used to focusing during this time and stay disciplined.

If your child juggles several responsibilities, like school, after-school tuitions, and extracurricular activities, experiment with different times so they don’t get overwhelmed. If necessary, you can also break the 20-minute reading session into two 10-minute sessions.

If they have a hectic schedule, add more reading time for weekends and holidays and reduce the time limit for school days.  

3. Build a reading environment

Offer your child a reading-friendly space to help them feel comfortable and enthusiastic about reading. For instance, ensure the space is well-lit, away from distractions, and quiet.

Get bookshelves and a comfy chair suitable for their height. Add a range of age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction books around that space. This creates an inviting and relaxing space to help them focus and enjoy reading.

If your kids take online classes, they might have a computer and other digital gadgets in their space. Ensure this space is away from other gadgets to help them focus.

4. Encourage them to try new reading materials

Often, kids stick to a specific genre of books besides their academic books and study materials.

If your child prefers a particular genre, stock up more on that. However, don’t completely ignore the other genres. Instead, get one book beyond their genre of interest or preference. Encourage them to read that once in a while.

You can also get magazines, newspapers, or graphic novels to get them accustomed to different genres. This will broaden their interest and enhance their literacy skills.  

5. Collaborate with the online tutor

An experienced online reading tutor will share your child’s strengths and areas of improvement. Invest in appropriate reading materials to fill in these gaps.

You can also seek their recommendation to ensure the reading materials are age-appropriate and complement the curriculum.

Notice which area your child struggles with more. Get books and exercises that can help them overcome these obstacles.

6. Be their role model

Children always prefer to mimic the grown-ups. So, don’t just ask your kid to read and set an example for your child.

Regularly, grab a book, newspaper, online article, or novel, sit beside your kid, and read out loud. After reading, share how you feel about the material. Ask your child about their feelings.

Show them that reading isn’t just a chore but also a great pastime. They’ll observe you and follow suit soon.  

You can also make it a family ritual to sit together at a particular time and enjoy reading. Everyone can read their own favorite book. Or read from the same book together out loud by taking turns. This can be an amazing bonding activity. Further, reading for 6 minutes reduces stress levels by 68%, so it’s a great way to unwind together!

Conclusion

With these strategies, your child will pick the best reading habits in no time. So, seek the right tutor now and ensure a successful reading journey for your little one!