New Year, New Reading Goals: How to Set Them for Your Child

As the New Year approaches, many parents reflect on their children's progress and consider what new goals to set. If you're like many parents, you may feel overwhelmed by the myriad of options when it comes to enhancing your child's reading skills.

Perhaps your child struggles with keeping engaged while reading, or they can read words aloud but struggle to comprehend the meaning behind them. You're not alone in this—setting effective reading goals can feel daunting. However, with a few actionable strategies, you can create a roadmap that not only fosters your child's love for reading but also significantly improves their comprehension skills.

Understand Your Child's Current Reading Level

Before diving into goal-setting, it's crucial to understand where your child currently stands in their reading journey. You can assess their reading level through simple methods:

• Reading Aloud: Have your child read a book appropriate for their age and observe their fluency and ability to understand the material.
• Comprehension Questions: After reading, ask them questions about the story. For example, if they read The Gruffalo, ask, “Why did the mouse tell the Gruffalo that he was the fiercest creature in the woods?”

Research from the National Reading Panel shows that understanding a child's reading level helps tailor goals that are both challenging and achievable, which is essential for maintaining their motivation.

Set Specific, Measurable Goals

Once you have an understanding of your child's reading level, it’s time to set specific and measurable goals. Here are some examples of reading goals you might consider:

1. Daily Reading Time: Aim for your child to read for at least 20 minutes each day. This can include both independent reading and reading aloud together.
2. Book Count: Set a goal for the number of books your child will read in a month. For instance, aim for them to read four new books in January.
3. Comprehension Check-ins: After each book, spend a few minutes discussing the plot, characters, and their favorite parts. This can help reinforce comprehension skills.

These goals should be realistic and tailored to your child’s interests. If they enjoy fantasy books, setting a goal to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone together can ignite their enthusiasm.

Explore Diverse Genres and Formats

Encouraging your child to explore various genres can broaden their horizons and improve comprehension. This includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic novels. Research from the Center for the Study of Reading indicates that exposure to diverse reading materials can enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills.

For example, pairing books like Where the Wild Things Are with non-fiction books about wild animals can help your child make connections between the stories and real-world facts. This not only makes reading fun but also encourages critical thinking.

Engage in Dialogic Reading

One effective method to enhance reading comprehension is through dialogic reading. This interactive approach involves asking open-ended questions, encouraging your child to elaborate on their thoughts while reading.

According to research by Dr. Grover Whitehurst, children who engage in dialogic reading show significant improvements in vocabulary and comprehension skills. Here’s how to do it:

1. Read Together: Choose a book that interests your child. As you read, pause to ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why do you think the character made that choice?”
2. Encourage Predictions: Before turning the page, ask your child to predict what might happen, fostering engagement and critical thinking.
3. Discuss the Story: After reading, have a discussion about the story. Ask questions that require them to think deeply about the characters, setting, and plot.

For more on this method, check out our complete guide to dialogic reading.

Incorporate Reading Activities

To make reading goals more fun, incorporate engaging activities that reinforce comprehension. Here are a few ideas:

• Story Mapping: After reading a story, create a visual map of the plot. This can help your child visualize the sequence of events and their relationships.
• Creative Projects: Have your child create a puppet show or draw scenes from their favorite books. This can reinforce their understanding of the narrative structure.
• Book Clubs: Start a small book club with friends or family, where children can share what they've read and discuss their favorite parts. This social interaction adds an extra layer of motivation.

For more fun ideas on activities, you can explore our collection of reading activities for kids.

Celebrate Achievements

Lastly, celebrate your child's milestones, no matter how small. Whether they finish a book or reach their reading time goal, recognizing their efforts motivates them to continue improving. Consider creating a reward chart where they can track their progress and earn small rewards for reaching specific goals.

Conclusion

Setting reading goals for your child this New Year doesn't have to be overwhelming. By understanding their current reading level, setting specific and measurable goals, exploring diverse genres, engaging in dialogic reading, incorporating fun activities, and celebrating achievements, you can foster a love for reading and improve their comprehension skills.

Remember, the aim is to make reading enjoyable and enriching. With patience and encouragement, you can guide your child on their reading journey, helping them become confident and enthusiastic readers.

---

About the Author

Written by Kelly Farmer, an ESL educator with 22 years of experience teaching English in Japan. Kelly founded Jabble English schools and created the WeRead Method while teaching his own bilingual child.

---

Join Our Reading Community

Be part of a supportive community focused on enhancing your child’s reading skills.

Get Early Access

---