For Parents
Ways to Help Your Child with Reading at Home
Before you begin reading:
- "What do you think that word could be?"
- "Use the picture to help you figure out what it could be."
- "Go back to the beginning and try that again."
- "Skip over it sand read to the end of the sentence. Now what do you think it is?"
- "Put in a word that would make sense there."
- "You read that word before on another page. See if you can find it."
If all the above has not worked, then tell your child the word.
After reading:
- "I like the way you looked at the picture to help yourself."
- "I like the way you went back to the beginning of the sentence and tried that again. That';s what good readers do."
- "You are becoming a good reader. I'm proud of you."
- Help your child find a quiet, comfortable place to read.
- Have your child see you as a model of reading
- Read aloud to your child--read favorites over and over and read often.
- Talk about the stories you read together
- Recognize the value of silent reading.
- Keep reading time enjoyable and relaxed.
- Give your child wait time of 5-10 seconds. See what (s)he does to help him or herself. This can be very revealing about your child's developing strategies.
- "What do you think that word could be?"
- "Use the picture to help you figure out what it could be."
- "Go back to the beginning and try that again."
- "Skip over it sand read to the end of the sentence. Now what do you think it is?"
- "Put in a word that would make sense there."
- "You read that word before on another page. See if you can find it."
If all the above has not worked, then tell your child the word.
After reading:
- Most importantly, focus on what your child is doing well and attempting to do. Remain loving and supportive. When your child is having difficulty and trying to work out the trouble spots, comment such as the following:- "Good for you. I like the way you tried to work that out."
- "I like the way you looked at the picture to help yourself."
- "I like the way you went back to the beginning of the sentence and tried that again. That';s what good readers do."
- "You are becoming a good reader. I'm proud of you."