As I've mentioned before, the more fun reading is, the more your child will enjoy the activity. Here are some ways you can make the reading experience enjoyable for both of you.
Silly voices. As you read, make up voices for the characters. Most kids love to act and the sillier it is the more pleasurable it can be. Just make sure they’re ‘accidentally’ gaining skills also, by asking who the characters are, what the main idea is, or what happen in the story.
What’s going to happen next? Ask this question as you read, OR before you start the story, look through the pictures and then guess what’s going to happen. When you finish the story or the chapter, talk about whether or not your predictions came true. Stress that there are no right or wrong answers to this question. It doesn’t matter if you get it ‘right’.
Have your child turn the story into a movie. That means you match your voice to the text. If it’s scary, make your voice slow and low… if it’s exciting, fast and high, and don’t be afraid to put in sound effects. Reading with dynamics can make reading very interesting for everyone. (This is a good exercise to use when you’re taking turns so your child can learn how by doing what you do.)
What was your favorite part? Or if they hated the book, what would you have done differently? Tell the child your favorite part, or say… I hated it when… I wish the author had done this instead, will help your child open up and make the exercise fun.
For nonfiction selections you can preview the book/story and have the child find answers to questions. For example if the story were about whales, you could say, “Can you tell me whether the whale is a fish or a mammal? Let’s see if we can find the answer.” Looking for the answers to fun questions gives the child a goal and helps them pay attention to what they’re reading.
If you don’t have time to preview, ‘activate prior knowledge’. This simply means, ask them what they already know about the subject. At the end, ask them what they learned, and ask what they wished they’d learned. The answers can be surprising and can lead to fun discussions.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
When the selection is too hard
First, you can take turns reading sentences or paragraphs. This allows your child to read, while helping to prevent frustration at the difficulty.
You can also use Choral Reading, which means that the two of you read the words out loud together. This helps the child gain confidence by reading the words they know, while you support them by helping with the words that are too hard. (Make sure the child reads also.)
The third option is to read the selection to your child. Make sure you stop frequently to ask questions about what’s being read. This helps to develop ‘oral’ reading comprehension and is a valid skill children should learn. Just make sure to use other methods also.
So... what do you do if the book is too hard, or your child just isn't interested in the story they're supposed to read that night?
You can also use Choral Reading, which means that the two of you read the words out loud together. This helps the child gain confidence by reading the words they know, while you support them by helping with the words that are too hard. (Make sure the child reads also.)
The third option is to read the selection to your child. Make sure you stop frequently to ask questions about what’s being read. This helps to develop ‘oral’ reading comprehension and is a valid skill children should learn. Just make sure to use other methods also.
So... what do you do if the book is too hard, or your child just isn't interested in the story they're supposed to read that night?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Reading Tip No. 1
Studies show that children that enjoy reading are successful readers. The first step in encouraging a love of reading is in making certain the book or story your child is reading is on an appropriate level.
To determine whether it is or not, use the Five Finger Rule: Read a page or two with your child. If they stumble over words five or more times on a page, the book/selection is too difficult. 2-3 mistakes is the perfect level. Less than that and you might seriously consider moving them up a level. (Too easy is just as frustrating as too hard.)
Once you've determined the correct level, you might try some of these suggestions:
1. Read WITH your child whenever possible.
2. Try to read at the same time every day in a comfortable, quiet place.
3. Encourage your child to do his/her best.
4. Use positive re-enforcement. The more confidence the child has, the better reader they'll be. And it's literally amazing what a child who believes in himself/herself can accomplish.
This is also EXTREMELY important with good readers. Oftentimes we forget to praise a child who is doing well, but they need it just as much.
5. Have your child 'track' while they read. Simply put, that means their finger should be moving along beneath the words, and should always be under the word that is being read. This helps them focus their attention and keep track of where they are.
Tracking is also an important skill most teachers require students to have in their classrooms, so more than likely, you're reinforcing something your child's teacher is already having them do.
6. Another helpful hint I use when my children are having trouble tracking is to place a bookmark or piece of paper beneath the sentence the child is reading. This trains their eyes to stay on the line they're reading, and also helps a child who is overwhelmed with a lot of text.
So... what do you do that helps your child read better? OR... Did any of these tips help you? I'd love to hear any comments or feedback.
To determine whether it is or not, use the Five Finger Rule: Read a page or two with your child. If they stumble over words five or more times on a page, the book/selection is too difficult. 2-3 mistakes is the perfect level. Less than that and you might seriously consider moving them up a level. (Too easy is just as frustrating as too hard.)
Once you've determined the correct level, you might try some of these suggestions:
1. Read WITH your child whenever possible.
2. Try to read at the same time every day in a comfortable, quiet place.
3. Encourage your child to do his/her best.
4. Use positive re-enforcement. The more confidence the child has, the better reader they'll be. And it's literally amazing what a child who believes in himself/herself can accomplish.
This is also EXTREMELY important with good readers. Oftentimes we forget to praise a child who is doing well, but they need it just as much.
5. Have your child 'track' while they read. Simply put, that means their finger should be moving along beneath the words, and should always be under the word that is being read. This helps them focus their attention and keep track of where they are.
Tracking is also an important skill most teachers require students to have in their classrooms, so more than likely, you're reinforcing something your child's teacher is already having them do.
6. Another helpful hint I use when my children are having trouble tracking is to place a bookmark or piece of paper beneath the sentence the child is reading. This trains their eyes to stay on the line they're reading, and also helps a child who is overwhelmed with a lot of text.
So... what do you do that helps your child read better? OR... Did any of these tips help you? I'd love to hear any comments or feedback.
Parents and Public Schools
I was talking to my daughters' piano teacher today about her son's reading. She knows I work for the local school district, and was frustrated because she wanted to help him to improve, yet had no idea how to do it.
I hear that frustration a lot, and to be honest, I've been there myself. I've only worked inside the system for the last four years. Before that I sat at home and wondered, What can I do? Am I doing everything I should be?
My blog will be done from the perspective of a mother who's worked hard to gain insights into teaching professionals and what they wish parents knew. A perspective, I believe my position as a Teacher's Assistant and a mother with children who have both excelled at and struggled with school has gained me.
I invite questions and comments, and would be delighted to hear from parents and professionals that have found successful solutions to problems. There's more than one 'right' way, and having worked with many children, I've found that no one technique works for everyone. It's a matter of trying again and again until you find something that works, so the more ideas we have, the better off we'll all be.
I hear that frustration a lot, and to be honest, I've been there myself. I've only worked inside the system for the last four years. Before that I sat at home and wondered, What can I do? Am I doing everything I should be?
My blog will be done from the perspective of a mother who's worked hard to gain insights into teaching professionals and what they wish parents knew. A perspective, I believe my position as a Teacher's Assistant and a mother with children who have both excelled at and struggled with school has gained me.
I invite questions and comments, and would be delighted to hear from parents and professionals that have found successful solutions to problems. There's more than one 'right' way, and having worked with many children, I've found that no one technique works for everyone. It's a matter of trying again and again until you find something that works, so the more ideas we have, the better off we'll all be.
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