Tips For Home Reading
Positivity is the key. If your child senses you are proud of them and believe in them, they will flourish. Create an atmosphere of acceptance – so that your child knows that it is okay to make a mistake. Make reading time enjoyable.
Reading is about gaining meaning. Your goal is for your child to know what the text is about, NOT to master words one at a time.
Help your child to know that it is THEIR job to solve a word if they are “stuck”. (We tend to jump in too quickly and give children a word they are stuck on.)
Let your child choose a book that interests them. If it is difficult, share the reading. You may leave out a word for them to pop in, or they may read the speaking part of one character. If your child is enjoying the book they will be happy to continue.
Take the time to ask “What did you like about that book?” “What was the funniest part?”
Talking about the book with your child brings it to life for them.
Reading is about gaining meaning. Your goal is for your child to know what the text is about, NOT to master words one at a time.
Help your child to know that it is THEIR job to solve a word if they are “stuck”. (We tend to jump in too quickly and give children a word they are stuck on.)
Let your child choose a book that interests them. If it is difficult, share the reading. You may leave out a word for them to pop in, or they may read the speaking part of one character. If your child is enjoying the book they will be happy to continue.
Take the time to ask “What did you like about that book?” “What was the funniest part?”
Talking about the book with your child brings it to life for them.
Reading With Your Child
. Find a quiet place to share reading. Look through the book at pictures, names or unusual words.
. Encourage your child to predict what the book is about.
. When your child is stuck on a word praise them for stopping. Tell them you are proud that they are thinking about how to work out the word.
. Encourage fluency. If reading sounds broken, say “Stop. Reading does not sound like that. Make it sound like you are talking". Familiar books are particularly good to develop this.
. Provide a prompt like “Why have you stopped?” “Is there something tricky about that word?” “Does it sound right to say…?” “Is there part of that word that you know?” “Try that again”
. If your child appeals for help try to avoid giving the word first, use a prompt for some input from them, even a first letter or sound from them, before giving the word.
. Of course if all else fails, don’t frustrate your child, simply saying “you try” may be enough, then give the word.
Allow time for your child to process the prompt before you jump in again.
HAPPY READING!
. Encourage your child to predict what the book is about.
. When your child is stuck on a word praise them for stopping. Tell them you are proud that they are thinking about how to work out the word.
. Encourage fluency. If reading sounds broken, say “Stop. Reading does not sound like that. Make it sound like you are talking". Familiar books are particularly good to develop this.
. Provide a prompt like “Why have you stopped?” “Is there something tricky about that word?” “Does it sound right to say…?” “Is there part of that word that you know?” “Try that again”
. If your child appeals for help try to avoid giving the word first, use a prompt for some input from them, even a first letter or sound from them, before giving the word.
. Of course if all else fails, don’t frustrate your child, simply saying “you try” may be enough, then give the word.
Allow time for your child to process the prompt before you jump in again.
HAPPY READING!