Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- How can I help my child become a stronger reader?
- How do I get my child to enjoy reading?
- How do I help my child remember and understand what they read?
How can I help my child become a stronger reader?
Read, Read, Read. Have your child turn off the television and video games
for a set time each night, to focus on reading. Just like anything else,
learning to read takes practice.
The best way to help your child improve in reading, is to read with him/her
each and every night. Children need to not only have the opportunity to
practice reading, but they also need to hear fluent readers read to them,
simply for the enjoyment of it. Check out a great chapter book and read one
chapter a night to your child. You'll be surprised how much you both enjoy
this time. And, your child learns that reading can be enjoyable.
I suggest parents set aside 15 minutes per day to read to or with their
child. Children should never be expected to read anything alone which they
struggle with. A general rule is the "rule of five" (as in five fingers per
hand). If in one page your child struggles with five or more words, then
that book is too difficult for him/her. That would be a great book to read
TO your child, but is not suitable for him/her to read alone.
Finally, model reading for your child. Children learn by following our lead.
When he/she is reading for school, pull out a magazine or book for yourself,
and read alongside your child.
How do I get my child to enjoy reading?
Try to make reading exciting for your child. Ask your child what he/she would
enjoy learning more about. For example, if your child is passionate about
sharks, take him/her to the library to check out books on sharks. Your child
will find reading much more enjoyable if he/she can read about something that
they find interesting. Also, if your child is struggling to read the book,
read WITH him/her. Sit right next to your child, have him/her point to the
words while you read them. Your child will still be following along, and
hearing a fluent reader read the words, which him/her them learn as well.
How do I help my child remember and understand what they read?
Once children have learned how to decode the words, and can read without much
thought, sometimes that's exactly what they do. They read the words, without
giving much thought to what they are reading. If you notice this is what
your child does, then have your child stop reading after 2-3 pages, and
briefly recap what he/she has read, with a verbal summary. It is helpful for
you to read ahead of your child, so you can have some questions in mind.
Then, if your child gives a very general summary, you can probe with more
questions to get his/her mind further engaged. "Tell me more about
that". "Why do you think the character did that"? Continue to ask more
questions, as this helps your child become more engaged in what he/she
isreading.