How do I Help My Child Learn to Read?

Strategies for Supporting Increased Comprehension:

1) Read! Read! Read! Read to your child. Have your child read to you. Have your child read to a brother, sister, stuffed animal or pet. Have your child see YOU read!

2) Choose Appropriate Books! Have your child read any page in the book he has chosen. If he misses  5 words on that page, this is not a book on the appropriate level for reading at this time.

3) Prediction! Have your child look at the pictures and/or read the title and predict what the story or chapter will be about.

4) Preview! Help your child preview words that may be unfamiliar before reading begins.

5) Think outside the box! Have your child share what he/she would have done differently if he were the main character. What would he have done the same?

6) Share! Have your child identify his favorite character/s, place/s, part/s of the book.

7) Identify! Have your child identify words that are unknown to him/her. That includes definitions of words and pronunciations. This can be done with sticky notes or highlighters (if the book belongs to the child). If the child is reading aloud and the unknown word does not change the meaning, do not stop him at that time. Go back later and discuss the word.

8) Summarize! Have your child summarize what the chapter or book was about.

9) Make reading a fun enjoyable experience!