What Turns Beginners into Readers

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Here are some realistic and practical ideas:

Let the child see that reading matters

  • Children pick up habits by watching.
  • Even if parents don’t read books, you can keep books, picture books, or magazines visible at home.
  • This shows reading is a normal, happy thing to do.
  • Say things like, “I love this book’s pictures!”

Choose picture-heavy books

  • Looking at pictures is reading! You can ask:
  • “Where’s the cat?”
  • “What do you think will happen next?”
  • “How does she feel?”
  • “Who looks happy?”
  • This builds vocabulary and comprehension naturally, reading without reading words. This helps your child think, imagine, and use new words.


Make a small, daily reading time

  • Even 5–10 minutes before bed or after dinner is powerful.
  • A calm routine signals, “This is our special story time.”
  • It’s better to read short and regularly than long but rarely.

Encourage Storytelling Through Pictures

  • For very young children, invite them to “read” to you, even if they’re simply telling the story through the pictures.
  • Smile and praise them with words like, “You told that story so beautifully!”
  • Your warmth and encouragement will grow their confidence and love for reading.

Books for Little Learners

  • Look for books with repeated words like ‘the, is, you, an, said’.
  • Children can recognize these words easily without sounding them out.
  • They are called high-frequency words because they appear in over half  or more of what we read.

Teach book care

  • Show your child how to handle books gently.
  • Turn pages slowly and avoid bending corners.
  • Keep books away from food, drinks, and rough play.
  • Don’t write or draw in books unless it’s a workbook meant for writing.
  • Carry books with both hands.
  • Always put books back in their shelf or box after use.

Visit the library

Make library trips a fun routine and let your child choose books that interest them.

Browse at bookstores

You don’t always need to buy, just exploring the shelves can spark curiosity.

Children love feeling clever

Ask your child to read to you. If they don’t know all the words, say, “That’s okay! Tell me the story in your own words.” They’ll gain confidence, and you’ll both feel proud.


Encouraging reading early gives children a lifelong skill and love for learning, no matter the place or material.

XOXO, EyeQ Mum Club

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