Here are some ways to help your child become a better reader.
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~*~ Reading for Meaning ~*~
Check for meaning by asking these
questions:
1. Wait 5-10
sec. to see what attempts are made; Then ask: "What would make sense there?"
2. If the
attempt is wrong ask: "Did that make sense?"
3. Check the
picture.
4. What happened
in the story when _____ ?
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~*~ What's that Word? ~*~
When your child comes to a word they
don't know, try some of these clues instead of giving them the word right away:
1. Did that
sound right?
2. What
sound/letter does it start with?
3. What would
you expect to see at the beginning, middle, and end?
4. Point to the
word.
5. Can you find
_____ ?
6. Skip the word
and continue reading to the end of the sentence, then Go Back and read that
sentence again.
7. Cover the
ending (-ed, -ing) with your finger and ask the child to try the word.
8. Say, "Can you
see a part that you know in that word?". (analogy: child knows "like" so he/she
can then link to "bike")
9. Ask, "What is
another word that might fit here?"
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~*~ Self-Checking ~*~
It is important that your child should
learn to check himself/herself as he/she is reading. Here are some suggestions
to encourage self-checking:
1. Why did you
stop?
2. Can you find
the tricky part?
3. Try that
again.
4. Are you
right?
5. How do you
know?
It is important
that children learn to use these strategies independently. When your child
"figures out" a word, you might ask how he/she did it. Talking about the
strategies that children use helps to reinforce learning. Always praise their effort, "Yes, that
is what Good Readers Do!!!"
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Reading Strategies Song
(to the tune of "I'm a Little
Tea Pot")
Look at the pictures, still
no clue?
When you get to the place
where you get stuck,
Get your mouth ready and the
words pop up!
(And now let's check it)
Think about the word you're
trying to say
Does it make sense? Does it
sound okay?
Do all the letters look right
to you?
These are the things good
readers do.
(Still can't get it?)
Read it again, all the way
through.
When you come to the tricky
part, don't get blue.
Get your mouth ready but go
on by.
Read to the end then give it
a try.
(And now let's check it
again.)
Think about the word you're
trying to say
Does it make sense? Does it
sound okay?
These are the things good
readers do.