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Reading Games

Many parents understand the importance of raising a competent reader. Many times, though, parents do not understand how to prepare their child for reading. Many educators and parenting specialist say that if a parent reads avidly, then there children will stand a better chance of reading avidly, also. Unfortunately, this is not always true. In order to raise a child that enjoys reading and excels at it, you sometimes have to take extra steps to introduce the skills of reading. Luckily, you do not have to have a teaching degree to teach your children how to read.

To introduce your child to the written language it is best to start with a game that sneaks in learning as opposed to just handing them a book and telling them to read. Games, especially fun ones, have a way of engaging children in an activity that might otherwise bore them or frustrate them. To begin your child's reading journey, start with the game described below.

Silly Sentences- This game will help your child grasp the differences in sentence parts and the appropriate times to use them. To play, start a sentence out loud with a modifier and a noun such as “the cat," and then have your child add a verb such as “purred” or "walked." Then you can end the sentence with an adverb like “quietly." Next, have your child start the sentence. You can also change the sentence structure by using an adjective, noun, and verb sequence. After each sentence is completed, causally mention the parts of the sentence and their relationship to one another.

After your child has mastered the knowledge of the language it is time to introduce them to the written word. Using different types of games can keep them interested and focused on different aspects of reading.

• Basic Reading- Make a reading board game. You will need scissors, cardboard (from an old box), crayons, paper and glue. The adult should cut out squares of paper while the children draw a picture on the car board. Pick a theme for their drawing such as a circus or the zoo. On each square, write out an easy clue such as “The red dog." Once the board is finished, use pennies or other items as the pieces, borrow some dice or a spinner from another game and start playing. When your piece lands on a square read the clue out loud. Then use the clue to make a complete sentence with all basic parts of speech. For example, “The red dog” could be “The red dog barked loudly." Point out mistakes by making your own sentence or by offering suggestions for a certain part of speech.

• Advanced reading- Once a child understands the basic parts of a sentence he/she will be ready to start constructing more elaborate sentences and then paragraphs. There are two easy to make games for this step. Mad-Lib type games are especially fun and easy to re-create. Just jot down a story on paper leaving blanks for some of the nouns, verbs, adjectives and so on. Under the blanks write the part of speech that is missing. Ask your child for these words and fill in the story, then read it aloud. The stories will be so funny and creative that they will beg to do one to you. Make another story, but this time have your child ask you for the words and write them in. Then have them read the story out loud.

The second game involves making note cards. Have your child help you put different words using all of the parts of speech onto the note cards. Use plenty of nouns and verbs but also some very descriptive and creative adjectives, adverbs and prepositions. Next place the cards in piles based on the part of speech they represent. Take turns drawing the cards and arranging them into sentences. Read the sentences out loud. Make numerous sentences and form a paragraph, read that out loud also. As your child masters the game progress to using all of the cards and having them choose different words to make a complete and well thought out paragraph. Eventually, you can add more cards and have your child make a complete story. Have them copy the story onto paper and read it aloud to family and friends.

With the consistent use of these games and other free reading opportunities (menus, road signs, baking directions) your child will be an avid and competent reader in no time.


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