Techniques for Supporting Your Child's Learning
READ TO YOUR CHILD
Reading aloud to children is one of the most significant literacy acts an
adult can provide to insure children's success in reading. It increases
their vocabulary level which is a major indicator of comprehension. It
supports the importance of reading as both information gaining and enjoyment
based. Additionally, it provides your child with an opportunity to be with
you and that in itself is rewarding. And YES, it is OK to read aloud to
third graders!
FACT: A child's listening comprehension level is three to four years beyond
their reading level. Want to further increase their knowledge base? READ
ALOUD!
READ WITH YOUR CHILD
As your child is developing his or her own literacy capabilities, they will
need support. Some strategies for reading with your child are:
1) Model good reading by reading aloud a small portion, followed by
reading together and finally allowing your child to read it independently.
2) Sit by your child's side and allow them to hold the book. It is OK for
your child to touch the words while reading.
3) When a child doesn't know a word, most adults will tell them to sound
it out. This technique uses only one of the systems a child needs to be a
good reader. Additional support can be provided by telling them to skip
that word and go on, coming back to it at the end of the sentence. Then
look at it and ask, "What would make sense here? Does that word look
right, does it sound right?"
PROVIDE INDEPENDENT READING TIME
Every third grader should read independently for a minimum of 15 - 20
minutes 5 - 6 evenings a week at the beginning of third grade working up to
30 minutes by the end of third grade. Provide your child with his or her
own special reading lamp. This could be a good "wind down" activity at
bedtime. Hopefully your only concern may be that your child does not want
to put the book down. A special treat could be letting your child stay up
15 - 30 minutes past "bedtime" if he or she is reading in bed!