Getting a child to learn how to read is a very exciting and rewarding endeavor. My two youngest kids took to reading fast and early, from age 1.
One of the key things that helped a lot was not really having any other media in their life.
It’s not mean so don’t go there! Look, your grandparents learned how to read, what did they have?
We had no cable TV or computers for them to access so it that part was out of the way as a distraction. I would say to any young parent that this is a key point. You don’t want to have them jut plugged in like a robot and get hypnotized by a streaming computer or TV.
If you can get rid of TV in your life all together it would help. I know that is a tall order but it take away the distraction to learning to learning to read.
It was odd to watch because since there was no other outlet or media to distract them they would naturally gravitate towards books. Nothing else was in front of them!
The key thing we did at the beginning was read to them. As they started reading on their own I would explain the meaning of the words that they stumbled on or had trouble with. This speeded up their own reading and learning tremendously.
It was amazing to watch Charlie and Natalie (only a year apart) cuddle with each other at around age 3 or so and just read. Since Charlie was older he started reading to Nat first, then she caught on and started reading on her own.
It became a nightly thing, they grabbed a book and before bed and read, and were fiercely into it!
Recently Natalie (now 17) told me that when they were told it was ‘lights out’ they would both sneak a book and sit by the window and read by the moonlight that came through the window.
I was amazed how they continued to love and enjoy reading. It was such a joy as a parent to see them engaged in it.
By the time Charlie was in 5th grade he had read 5 or 6 Steven King novels. (I know I know but he was into that genre so I didn’t stop him). He wanted to direct movies.
Even before the 5th grade he had the stated goal of becoming a director of thriller/horror movies.
Of course I didn’t get in the way of that passion. He was already getting proficient in making and editing short movies and was a little wizard as an editor. During that 5th grade year his class was asked to write down ‘life dreams’ which got posted outside the classroom in the hallway. A father of a kid in the school (a pretty well-known director) saw this ‘dream’ write up and took him under his wing to mentor him through 2 major movies. Charlie would head to Malibu for music scoring or call me from Sony Studios lot. All while in the 5th grade!
Charlie is 18 now. He has a job at a major production company. The company produces major video productions (Twenty-one Pilots etc.). He plans to go to film school to pursue his directing dreams
Natalie has been doing well also and is in her second year of college now (age 17).
Staying strong and close with them and taking a high interest in their education and especially reading has really paid off. Both are smart, never got into trouble or drugs.
They think with and learn things pretty easily.
I feel very strongly about having kids read and understand meanings of words and grammar.
Reading is vital and key to a successful future for a child.
I found a reading program that has a lot of success with struggling little readers.
The program wasn’t available years ago but it does have a high success rate with children. I suggest you have a look at it and see if it is something you can use with your child:
https://63682cuyn4-b5r4uhfv7ill7nt.hop.clickbank.net/
(The link above is an affiliate link)