Reading with your child: Five Easy Steps

1.  Select a book.  Either you or your child select a book based on a topic your child is interested in.                              

   *If the book is much too easy, let your child tape record parts to build fluency and confidence.

   *If your child is a reluctant reader, alternate reading sentences, paragraphs or pages with him or her.

   *If the book is much too difficult, you read it aloud and let your child talk about the pictures or summarize sections that you read.

2.  Have your child read aloud.  Sometimes just part of a story is sufficient.  Allow the child to choose the part with the "action" or one with a good description, etc.

    *Have him/her read to you, your spouse, younger brothers and sisters, the neighbors, even to pets.

    *Have him/her tape a story and send it to grandparents or a favorite relative.

    *Just be a good listener as your child reads.  Try to comment positively on just part of the story to let your child know that you are paying attention.

3.  When your child has difficulty with a word, encourage independent problem solving with suggestions such as:

     * Look at the beginning sound and the ending sound.

     * Do you see a part of a word that you know?

     * What word would make sense in the sentence?

     * Skip the word, read to the end of the sentence, and then go back.  Ask your child what word would best fit. 

     * If all of the above are unsuccessful, tell him/her the word.

4.  Discuss the story.  Try to make both reading the story and discussing it enjoyable experiences.

    *Try not to ask too many questions!

    *Ask some questions which require more than just a "yes" or "no" answer.

    *Include opinion questions as a way to spark creativity.  Sample:  How would you change the ending? 

5.  Praise your child.  Reading should be enjoyable for both of you. Sometimes a sincere "thank you for reading to me" along with a smile or a hug will be the best practice for the situation.  Find ways to praise honestly and sincerely.  Praise improvement as well as good performance.  Try praising your child for being attentive, using expression, using correct pronunciation, or for selecting an interesting story.