• Tips for Reading at Home

     

    The following are suggestions for ways parents might support young readers at home. These approaches will support the learning your child is doing at school and promote the lifelong habit of reading.

     

    ·     Read aloud and/or listen to your child read frequently.  Pause and make time for your child’s predictions, questions and comments about the story and the illustrations.  Discuss:

     

    o  What did you think of the book? 

    o  How did it make you feel? 

    o  Who was your favorite character? Why? 

    o  What was your favorite part? Why?

    o  Why do you think the author wrote this book?

     

    ·     Regarding your child’s daily reading, encourage your child to select and read “just right” books, which are books that your child can read easily(with minimal mistakes) and enjoy independently.  Encourage your child to reread familiar books.

     

    ·     If your child comes to a word that they don’t know or they read incorrectly, here are some things you might say:

     

    o  What would make sense that begins with those letters? 

    o  You read _____________.  (Repeat what they read).  Does that sound right? Does that make sense?

    o  Look at the pictures for a clue. 

    o  Look for chunks in the word that you know.

    o  Get your mouth ready.

    o  Try that again.

     

    ·     If your child can’t figure out a word after trying one or more of these strategies, then go ahead and provide the word.

     

    ·     Try not to display anxiety or frustration.  Lots of practice and relaxed experiences with books are two keys to children’s becoming fluent, joyful readers.