WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH READING AT HOME
SETTING THE ATMOSPHERE:
Help your child find a quiet, comfortable place to read.
Have your child see you as a reading model.
READ ALOUD TO YOUR CHILD. CONTINUE to read aloud to your child even after
she/he has become a reader. Reread favorite stories.
Discuss (do not quiz or test) the stories you read together:
What did you think?
What did you notice?
What do you think might happen next?
Recognize the value of silent reading.
Have your child listen to a book on tape.
Keep reading time ENJOYABLE and RELAXED.
WHEN READING WITH YOUR CHILD:
Keep it fun and stress free.
Read your child's favourite story over and over if they ask. You are
allowing them to hear the music or rhythm of the story structure.
Stop before a predictable word and let your child fill in the word. You are
providing an opportunity for your child to use the pictures and the sense of
story as strategies for reading.
Encourage your child to read along with you. It is good practice before
she/he tries it on her/his own.
Stop right before something is going to happen in the story and ask your
child what she/he thinks is going to happen.
Share some think alouds. For example, pause during the story and
say, "Gee, I'm wondering if..." etc.
WHEN YOUR CHILD IS READING TO YOU:
Based on the way most of us were taught to read, we have told the child
to "sound it out" when she/he comes to an unknown word. While phonics is an
important part of reading, reading for meaning is the primary goal. To help
beginning readers who can monitor and correct themselves as they read, the
following prompts are suggested:
Let your child decide on the "just right book" that she/he wants to read to
you. One way you and your child can determine if the book is a "just right
book" is by having your child read a full page. Have the child put up 1
finger for every word which they find difficult. If your child has 5 or
more fingers up by the end of the page, the book is too challenging. It is
very important for your child to LOVE reading! If she/he is reading books
that are too challenging, reading may become a very frustrating, anxiety
provoking experience.
Understand that even reading pictures is reading.
Overlook mistakes unless your child stops. She/he is still getting good
practice on all the words she/he is reading.
If your child stops, give a short wait time to provide the opportunity for
self-correction.
See if there is a small word in the word with which she/he is struggling and
ask them to find it.
Point to the word: "What would make sense there?" "Can the picture help
you?"
Point to the first letter and see if she/he can think of a word that begins
with that letter and also makes sense last letter?
Ask your child to: "Go back to the beginning (of line, sentence, etc.) and
try that again?" (especially if your student is getting all tangled in the
text); "Say the beginning sound, skip over it and read to the end of the
sentence. Now what do you think the word is?"
"You read that word on another page. See if you can find it."
Tell your child the word.
MOST IMPORTANT, focus on what your child is doing well and attempting to
do.
Remain supportive.
Try to keep in mind that, especially in first grade:
Every child wants to be a good reader.
Every child is doing her/his best.
Every child wants to please her/his family by showing that they can read.
Memorization is an important beginning.
Criticism and repeated corrections lead to anxiety, which diminishes a
child's ability to attend.
Something that many of my students over the years have enjoyed is opening up
their lunches and finding a note from their mum or dad!
You might leave a note on the mirror in the morning or on their pillow
before they go to bed at night!
If you are feeling particularly anxious, PLEASE feel free to contact me.
