You can lay the foundations for reading from infancy by talking to your baby and reading picture books aloud every day, while most children are ready to read independently at around 5–7 years. Introduce letters and sounds through games and songs, make storytelling engaging, read together regularly, choose age-appropriate picture book series, limit screen use according to age, and set an example by reading regularly yourself.
As children reach the appropriate age, reading becomes an expected skill. Parents naturally want to know how to teach their child to read effectively, so this article brings together practical approaches you can use. Let's explore them.
When should you start teaching your child to read?
You can lay the foundations for reading from infancy by talking, singing, and reading picture books aloud every day. This helps your child become familiar with sounds and vocabulary (see guidance from the NHS and how to encourage your child to speak). Most children are ready to read independently at around 5–7 years. Each child develops readiness at a different pace, so avoid rushing or forcing them, as this may put them off reading.
Signs that your child is becoming ready include enjoying the same stories read repeatedly, pointing to words and asking what they say, recognizing letters in their own name, or pretending to read independently.
Essential foundations: recognizing letters and sounds
- Recognizing letters: Start with consonants in your child's name or words they see often, using cards, signs, or alphabet toys.
- Matching letters to sounds: Practice the sound each letter makes through songs and games. For example, the Thai consonants ko kai and mo ma are pronounced "kor" and "mor" when sounded out.
- Listening for sounds in words: Play games guessing words that begin with the same sound or words that rhyme.
- Blending simple words: Once your child knows basic consonants and vowels, gradually practice sounding out short Thai words such as ma (come), ta (eye), and pu (crab).
You can use alphabet puzzle toys to make learning more fun and develop hand muscles alongside learning to write through play.
What are some ways to teach your child to read?
1. Spark interest through storytelling
Telling interesting, exciting stories can be a wonderful way to spark your child's interest in reading. Stories filled with excitement, challenges, or fantasy can help capture their attention. You can also tell stories related to your child's interests or challenges to encourage them to keep reading.
Try any engaging story, such as an adventure in a magical forest, an encounter with a dragon guarding a castle, or a journey through space to discover other universes.
| Storytelling techniques | Ways to capture your child's attention |
|---|
| An engaging voice | Vary your voice to suit the story, such as speaking louder or softer to build excitement. |
| Open-ended questions | Ask your child to guess what happens next or how they feel about a character. |
| Pointing to pictures and words | Point to words as you read and invite your child to find things in the pictures. |
2. Make reading part of everyday life
Making reading part of everyday life is important for encouraging your child to read and develop a love of books. Give your child access to books and opportunities to read at comfortable, convenient times, such as reading aloud before bed or during free time. Setting aside time for reading helps your child understand what they read and develop reading skills.
You can also make reading part of daily life by creating a suitable reading environment. Offer a variety of books and a comfortable place to read to make the experience enjoyable and engaging. Choose books that suit your child's interests and age, and create an inviting reading corner with enough light. Place books within your child's reach and keep the area away from distractions such as televisions or phones.
| Benefits of making reading part of everyday life |
|---|
| Improve your child's reading skills |
| Build a love of books |
| Encourage your child's creativity |
3. Use technology to support learning
Technology can be a useful tool for teaching your child to read more effectively. It can support reading in several ways, such as through apps or products designed to accompany reading.
- Using apps that offer engaging reading experiences
You can use apps that create engaging reading experiences for your child, such as those with appealing illustrations or animations that appear as they read. These apps can combine interesting content with games to build interest in reading.
- Using devices alongside books
Alongside apps, you can use other devices, such as tablet computers or other tools that help your child improve their reading skills. These devices can be used with books or other content to create fun, engaging reading experiences.
| Technology | Benefits for learning |
|---|
| Audiobook or picture book apps | Build interest in reading and let children hear how words are pronounced. |
| Other devices, such as tablets | Use alongside physical books, with parents sitting together, watching, and talking. |
A note of caution: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no screen use for children under 2 and no more than 1 hour a day for children aged 2–4; less is better. Technology is therefore suitable as a supplement for older children, rather than a replacement for parents reading aloud. Read more about helping your child cut back on screen use.
4. Read connected articles or books
Reading connected articles or books is an engaging and effective way to help your child develop good reading skills. Following connected texts helps children understand content in greater detail and strengthens their understanding of how important parts of a story link together.
It also helps children follow the story, characters' actions, and events more easily, without having to question what is happening or become confused by the content.
For example, you can introduce stories that connect to one another or use books with interesting, easy-to-understand content to increase your child's interest in reading.
| Books | Content | Continuity |
|---|
| Picture book series featuring the same characters | Plenty of pictures and short sentences, with familiar characters facing new situations in each book. | Children become familiar with the characters and want to read the next book. Suitable for young children. |
| Books with rhymes or repeated words | Repeated words or sentences that children can recite along with. | Help children remember words and begin to read along independently. |
| Leveled readers | Progress from simple words to more difficult ones. | Suitable for children beginning to read independently, with levels increasing gradually according to ability. |
5. Create reading activities with others
Creating reading activities with others is important for building children's interest in and enthusiasm for books. These activities make reading enjoyable and provide space to talk and share stories related to books.
Reading with others can take many forms, such as family reading activities or reading together with friends in class.
Interacting with others while reading adds a new dimension to reading and understanding stories. It builds interest and confidence in communication, while allowing children to learn from other people's experiences and opinions.
| Reading activities with others | Benefits |
|---|
| Organize family reading activities | Build interest in reading, encourage discussion about books, and strengthen family relationships. |
| Read with friends or in class | Share stories and opinions, and enjoy learning together. |
Conclusion
After exploring the approaches presented in this article, we find that creating a suitable environment and engaging activities are among the most interesting and effective ways to spark your child's interest in reading.
Making time for reading, laying the foundations of letters and sounds, and using technology in moderation according to age are also important for establishing and encouraging your child's reading skills. Fun, exciting storytelling and engaging stories can further build their interest in books.
Remember to set an example by reading and writing regularly, and make time to share stories and learning from books with your child. This gives them ongoing opportunities to learn and develop independently through books.
Parents can find more parenting tips
here.How can storytelling spark interest?
You can tell interesting, exciting stories to spark your child's interest in reading. The key is to make stories engaging and connected. These might be exciting stories, stories that evoke compassion or other emotions, or continuing stories that encourage an interest in reading.
How can you make reading part of everyday life?
You can create everyday reading experiences by reading aloud before bed or during free time, such as sharing a bedtime story or reading before a meal.
How can you use technology to support learning?
You can use technology to teach your child to read through apps or products that support reading. For example, apps with audiobooks and pictures can help your child understand and become interested in stories.
How can you use connected reading as an example?
Reading connected texts helps your child understand and become interested in ongoing stories. A useful approach is to offer books or articles with connected content and engaging stories, such as a picture book series featuring the same characters across several books.
How can you create reading activities with others?
You can organize reading activities with family or friends, or start a reading group to exchange opinions and recommend interesting books.
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