Imagine a world without words. A world without stories. A world without knowledge.
Scary right?
Reading as a skill, if you have it, is a key that opens multiple doors of opportunity.
At Cyboard School, we believe that reading isn’t just about understanding or reading aloud words; it’s a foundational skill that prepares students for the present, understanding the world, people, and subjects, and then comprehending and creating your personality.
Reading is a cornerstone of a child’s education, laying the foundation for success in all subjects. At Cyboard School, we believe in imbibing this love for reading from a young age.
Our comprehensive approach combines engaging activities with cutting-edge technology to make reading fun and effective.
Through reading skills, children expand their vocabulary, improve their comprehension, and develop critical thinking skills. But the benefits don’t stop there, reading skills can also help children excel in other areas like writing, speaking, and even problem-solving.
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary”- Jim Rohn
However, getting children excited about reading can sometimes be a challenge.
In a world filled with distractions, how can we make reading more appealing? The key is to make it fun and engaging. By incorporating creative activities into reading time, you can help your child improve their reading skills while also fostering a love for books.
In this blog, we’re going to explore 10 activities that will turn reading from a task into an exciting game. Whether your child is just starting to sound out letters or needs a little boost in their reading journey, these activities are designed to help them improve their skills while having a blast.
So, grab your reading “compass,” and let’s set sail on this journey to boost your child’s reading skills!
Phonics and Sound Games
Phonics is like the secret code to reading. When your child learns how to crack this code, they can start to read almost anything. You can make phonics fun by turning it into a game. Create flashcards with letters and ask your child to match them with the sounds they make. You can even play a game where you give them clues, like “I spy something that starts with the ‘m’ sound.”
Why it works: Phonics games make decoding words feel like a treasure hunt, helping your child connect letters to sounds in a fun, engaging way.
Reading Captions
Next time your child is watching their favorite show, turn on the captions. As they watch, they can follow along with the words on the screen. It’s a simple way to sneak in some reading practice without them even noticing.
Why it works: Reading captions helps your child improve their word recognition and fluency. It’s like adding another layer to their favorite stories, making screen time more productive.
Picture Reading
Before your child can read the words in a book, they can start by “reading” the pictures. Sit down with a picture book and ask your child to tell you what they see happening in the pictures. Encourage them to come up with a story that matches the images.
Why it works: Picture reading is like building a bridge between images and words. It helps your child develop narrative skills and prepares them for reading text by encouraging them to think about the story the pictures are telling.
Storytelling Sessions
Storytelling is like creating your own adventure. You can start a story and let your child finish it, or you can take turns adding to a story together. It’s a great way to spark creativity and encourage language development.
Why it works: Storytelling helps your child understand how stories work, from beginning to end. It also builds vocabulary and enhances their ability to express ideas, making reading easier and more enjoyable.
Letter/Word Hunt
Turn reading into an exciting scavenger hunt! Hide letters or words around the house and ask your child to find them. Once they’ve found a word, they can read it out loud and try to use it in a sentence.
Why it works: A letter or word hunt makes reading an active, hands-on experience. It’s a playful way to reinforce word recognition and encourage your child to read without even realizing they’re practicing.
Forming Sentences with Words or Objects
Give your child a word or an object and challenge them to create a sentence with it. For instance, hand them a toy car and ask them to form a sentence like, “The car zoomed down the road.” This activity encourages them to think creatively and practice putting words together.
Why it works: Forming sentences helps your child understand how words fit together to form sentences. It’s like giving them the tools to build their own stories, one word at a time.
Interactive Reading through Live Worksheets and Jamboard
Digital tools can make reading more interactive and fun. Platforms like live worksheets and Jamboard allow your child to engage with reading material in new and dynamic ways, like dragging and dropping words to complete sentences or matching pictures with words.
Why it works: Interactive reading keeps your child engaged and makes the learning process more exciting. It’s like adding a bit of magic to their reading practice, making it more enjoyable and effective.
Guess the Letter or Word
Here’s a guessing game that turns learning letters and words into a fun challenge. Write a letter or word on a piece of paper, cover it up, and slowly reveal it while your child guesses what it might be. For example, show just the top of the letter “B” and see if they can guess it.
Why it works: This guessing game adds an element of suspense and fun to reading. It encourages your child to think critically and sharpens their recognition skills.
Reading Games through YouTube
YouTube isn’t just for watching funny cat videos—it can also be a great resource for educational content. There are channels dedicated to reading games and activities that can help your child practice reading in a fun and interactive way.
Why it works: Reading games on YouTube combine learning with entertainment. They provide a fresh way for your child to engage with reading, especially if they’re more interested in digital content.
Jam Sessions (Just a Minute)
In a “Jam Session,” give your child a topic and ask them to talk or read about it for one minute without stopping. It could be anything from their favorite toy to a recent adventure. This activity challenges them to think on their feet and practice speaking and reading fluently.
Why it works: “Jam Sessions” encourage your child to think quickly and articulate their thoughts clearly. It also helps improve their fluency and confidence in reading and speaking.
Here's What We at Cyboard School Do:
At Cyboard School, we understand that reading is a key skill that needs to be nurtured from an early age. That’s why we incorporate a variety of reading activities in our pre-primary classes, including:
- Phonics/Sounds
- Reading Captions
- Picture Reading
- Storytelling Sessions
- Letter/Word Hunt
- Forming Sentences with Words or Objects
- Interactive Reading through Live Worksheets, Jamboard, PPT
- Guess the Letter or Word (CVC Words)
- Sight Word Bingo
- Turn the Wheel and Read
- Reading Games through YouTube
- Bamboozle for Different Live Activities
- Jam Sessions – Just a Minute
Starting from Grade 1, we introduce our students to the Raz-Plus platform as part of our regular English Lab Periods. Raz-Plus offers a vast digital library of leveled eBooks, quizzes, and reading resources tailored to individual reading levels, as measured by the Lexile score.
The platform includes various activities promoting active reading, such as reading aloud sessions where students can record themselves and receive feedback from teachers. Additionally, Raz-Plus offers opportunities for subject integration across disciplines, allowing students to explore different genres and subjects, thereby enhancing their overall understanding, building vocabulary, and developing critical thinking skills.
At Cyboard School, we believe in a comprehensive learning experience that supports holistic education, preparing students for success in multiple areas. Our reading activities are designed to foster a love for learning and exploration, helping students build a strong foundation for their future academic journey.
Reading is an adventure that your child is just beginning. With these fun and engaging activities, you can help them improve their reading skills while making the process enjoyable.
Remember, the key to successful reading practice is consistency and a positive attitude. So, have fun with it, and watch your child’s reading skills grow!
The article on Cyboard School offers fantastic playful activities designed to enhance children’s reading skills. Engaging young learners in fun, interactive ways helps build their literacy and fosters a lifelong love for reading.
Thank you for your lovely comment. We’re so glad you enjoyed the article.
This School is very Good School,all the teachers are very talented and kind person clarified all the doubts of children properly. My daughter are reading in grade 4th B. in five months I saw a many changes in her reading skill and also sentence making in all languages.
Thank you for your kind words. We’re thrilled to see your daughter’s progress and are glad our teachers have been able to support her growth.