Label everyday items around your home, such as chairs, beds and tables. Encourage your child to write the words on small labels and post them on items at eye level. It will build instant recognition of those words in print.
Reading words that rhyme helps young readers recognize word endings. In addition to its word recognition benefits, this activity also builds decoding skills, which help the reader when he encounters an unfamiliar word.
During everyday activities such as running errands or trips to the park, make a game of reading street signs, menus or mail. Point out familiar words and ask your child what they are. Help your child decode, or sound out, unfamiliar words and then put it all together to read the sign. Remember to keep it fun. There should be no pressure in these activities, and most kids like learning new words through real-world examples.
If your child has a favorite book, reading it over and over reinforces recognition of the words. Take turns reading pages. Even if she has memorized it, each exposure to a word makes it more likely she will remember it when reading it in another context.
Reading recipes is an excellent way to teach word recognition skills. Recipes tend to use the same words over and over, such as add, mix, blend and stir. The words are also reinforced by the action of performing the task.
Sending your child a weekly postcard is another good way to build anticipation for reading. You can even write weekly clues to a mystery that will be solved through reading the postcards. Friends from faraway places may be willing to participate, which adds interest for young readers.
Engaging activities are helpful in developing word recognition and other essential reading skills, but the most effective way to build all reading skills is to read lots of words every day. As with any skill, reading gets better the more you practice.