READING TIPS
Use these tips to help your child read at home!
Here's a great website that helps with the HOW and WHY of reading at home!
1. Be supportive
Reading is a developmental process and begins with lots of practice. Show lots of encouragement to your child while he/she is reading. This will give your child confidence to read more books and practice often!
2. Use a variety of books
In addition to the guided reading books I send home for your child to read, choose books from home or the library for your child to read. Choose books that have words that your child can read. Your child knows how to find “just right” books….if there are more than 5 words on a page that your child doesn’t know and can’t sound out, this book is too difficult. Really tough books will cause frustration and are better for YOU to read aloud. Also, look for books that interest your child. If your child is really excited about bats….look for books about bats! This will encourage and excite him or her to read!
In addition to the guided reading books I send home for your child to read, choose books from home or the library for your child to read. Choose books that have words that your child can read. Your child knows how to find “just right” books….if there are more than 5 words on a page that your child doesn’t know and can’t sound out, this book is too difficult. Really tough books will cause frustration and are better for YOU to read aloud. Also, look for books that interest your child. If your child is really excited about bats….look for books about bats! This will encourage and excite him or her to read!
3. Re-read
When your child has mastered a book and can read it without mistakes, don’t discourage your child from reading it again. Children like having books that are easy for them to read. This builds their confidence! While you want your child to read a variety of books, it’s okay for him/her to re-read a book you have already read before. Re-reading improves the child’s confidence AND fluency!
4. Use different reading strategies when your child is stuck on a word.
Here are some ideas that I use in class.
• “Look at the picture. Does the picture tell you what that word might be?”
• “What does it start with?” “What words start like that?” “What does it end with?” “What words end like that?”
• “What word would make sense?” “Does that make sense?”
• “The tricky word rhymes with ‘________’.” "The word was one of your sight/spelling words.”
Here are some ideas that I use in class.
• “Look at the picture. Does the picture tell you what that word might be?”
• “What does it start with?” “What words start like that?” “What does it end with?” “What words end like that?”
• “What word would make sense?” “Does that make sense?”
• “The tricky word rhymes with ‘________’.” "The word was one of your sight/spelling words.”
5. Ask questions
If you have extra time after reading, ask questions such as, “What was the problem?”, “How did they solve it?”, “What happened at the beginning, middle, and end?”, “Who was the main character?”, “What was the setting?”, etc. Feel free to ask your child to WRITE about the book! Reading and writing go very well together!
6. Try to read every night
While it is best for your child’s reading progress to read the books to you, kids love to listen to adults read, as well! It’s important to show your child that you are interested in reading so he/she will be interested, as well!
Please let me know if you have any questions about any of these tips. Thank you for your support
in your child’s education! Happy Reading!