Hey there, fellow parents and caregivers! Today, I want to chat with you about a topic that might raise a few eyebrows: getting rid of reading games and other activities while teaching your child to read.
How does that make you feel as you hear that?
I know it sounds counterintuitive, especially in a world where educational games and interactive apps are all the rage. In addition to the push of making everything seem like fun and kids not hear the word ‘no’. But hear me out! There’s a method to this madness, and I truly believe it can have a profound impact on your child’s reading journey. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into this discussion together.
Now, let’s start by acknowledging that games and activities can be incredibly engaging and fun. They can capture a child’s attention, stimulate their senses, and even provide some educational value. However, when it comes to teaching your child to read, relying heavily on games and activities can hinder their progress.
Furthermore, remember we can and should be encouraging game playing during free time and family time. We just shouldn’t mask learning through games.
Here’s why:
1. Reading Games Can Cause Distraction overload:
Games are designed to be entertaining and exciting, which means they often involve flashy graphics, catchy tunes, and lots of movement. While this might keep your child entertained, it can also divert their attention away from the actual reading process. When learning to read, children need to focus on letters, sounds, and words. Introducing too many distractions can make it difficult for them to concentrate on the task at hand.
For example, I have kids who are in a hurry to when and will rush through the important parts of the game. In addition, some of the kids will use the pictures or other aspects of the game to engage, but not really focused on the targeted skills being developed.
2. Reading Games Can Limit transferability:
Many educational games claim to teach reading skills. However, the effectiveness of these games in transferring those skills to real-world reading situations can be questionable. Reading involves more than just recognizing letters or words on a screen. It requires comprehension, critical thinking, and the ability to decode text in different contexts. By relying solely on games, your child may struggle to apply their reading skills beyond the gaming environment.
This point hits home to me. I remember as a kid being able to figure out the game and have fun at it. I even won a few rounds. However, I did not know how to transfer that over to other areas. I knew the words as a whole but could not break them apart.
On the other hand, I know this disconnect is not completely to blame on the games. I lacked the ability to understand how the sounds within the word connected with the letters. Furthermore, I had no idea about phonemic awareness. I talk about these things here on my blog to help parents know how to support their struggling readers.
Even with proper teaching, I don’t recommend teaching reading through games because I find many students are distracted and unable to transfer skills to real-world reading.
I like to separate work and play. To help develop the discipline to focus on persevere. Work hard when it is time to work and play hard when it’s time to play! We can still enjoy both but the outlook is a little different.
3. Reading Games are not the same as authentic reading:
Reading is a skill that develops through exposure to authentic reading experiences. It’s about engaging with real books, newspapers, magazines, and other written materials. While games may have text incorporated into their design, they often lack the depth and complexity found in actual reading materials. By omitting these authentic experiences, your child may miss out on building essential reading strategies and vocabulary.
4. Neglecting foundational skills:
Reading is built upon a foundation of various skills, including phonics, phonological awareness, and fluency. These skills are best developed through systematic instruction and practice. While games can supplement learning, they shouldn’t replace the structured teaching of these foundational skills. Without a strong foundation, your child may struggle to progress and may experience difficulties in more advanced reading tasks later on.
If reading games are not key, then what?
So, what’s the alternative? How can we strike a balance between engaging activities and effective reading instruction? It’s all about finding the right blend of methods:
1. Prioritize direct instruction:
Allocate dedicated time for explicit reading instruction that focuses on the specific skills and strategies your child needs to develop. Utilize proven methods such as phonics instruction, guided reading, and modeling of reading strategies. This structured approach provides a solid foundation for your child’s reading journey.
2. Incorporate meaningful reading experiences:
Surround your child with a print-rich environment. Fill their bookshelves with a variety of books, take regular trips to the library, and read together as often as possible. Engage in discussions about the stories, characters, and themes. By immersing your child in authentic reading experiences, you create opportunities for them to apply their skills and develop a love for reading.
3. Use games and activities strategically:
Rather than relying solely on games, use them as supplementary tools to reinforce and practice specific reading skills. Look for games that align with the concepts your child is learning and ensure they provide opportunities for real reading practice, comprehension, and critical thinking.
Remember, every child is unique, and different approaches may work for different individuals. The key is to strike a
balance between engaging activities and focused instruction. By providing a solid foundation, authentic reading experiences, and strategic use of games, you can set your child on a path to becoming a confident and skilled reader.
So, let’s embrace the power of reading and guide our little ones toward a world of imagination and knowledge. Together, we can nurture a generation of avid readers who will embark on countless literary adventures. Happy reading!
What to Read Next:
How to build your home library for Beginner Readers