Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.--Proverbs 22:6, AMPC

Are you having challenges getting your chiid(ren) to read? Let them use a "reading buddy"--a stuffed animal or a toy. This will encourage them to read out loud, and explain as they go, and even use more vocal variety to make it more interesting for their "buddy." 

When they are good readers, it helps them in every subject. 

Children love stuffed animals. Unless there are restrictions against it because of covid or other mess, letting your chiild(ren) have a "reading buddy" such as a stuffed animal or toy is a great way to excite them about reading!

I've seen this used in public schools, and it works well. The children are excited to bring a favorite toy or animal from home (This was before the pandemic. i'm not sure what the rules are now, but if the kids have to wear a mask anyway, I don't see why they couldn't bring their buddies!), and look forward to the official time they get to read to their buddy. 

This is also a great way to keep the kids positively productive, while the busy teacher (or parent) gets a few moments to do something else.

This works at home as well as at school. The child will hear his or her own voice reading the text (You can use this strategy for any subject, including math!), and thus hearing the facts, so this is a win-win: they are receiving the information through their eyes and ears, simultaneously, while also doing a "good deed" to "help" their buddy.  

This works with live pets, too.

When I was homeschooling my daughter in her 6th and 7th grades, she would often share information she learned--such as the solar system, and the various denominations of money, etc.--with her Siamese Fighting Fish, who was in the bowl on the bookshelf behind her. Prince never protested, but seemed attentive. (It could have been a ploy to make sure he didn't miss a meal, but we're not sure. Anyway, he was a great listener! :)  )  This helped her enjoy speaking the information, which was being put into her memory in a more satisfying way than just reading it silently. 

Several studies have proven that, when we experience something exciting, that moment and/or information can be "burned into our brains." That is why it is super-important that we allow only the good experiences, as much as possible!

These techniques won't hurt your child(ren); they can help greatly in the enjoyment, fluency, confidence, and recall of your student. So let your child(ren) pick a reading buddy today, and get going!

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.