How Can I Help My Child With Their Reading Skills?

By Julie Diamond, OCT

Expanding on the importance of literacy fluency, let's delve deeper into the strategies and activities that can be implemented at home to enhance your child's reading skills.

Reading fluency, characterized by accuracy, speed, and proper expression, is a fundamental skill that directly influences comprehension. Just as we emphasized the significance of fluency in numeracy in the previous blog, fostering fluency in literacy is equally vital for overall academic success.

1. Choose the Right Text:

Fluency development begins with selecting an appropriate text. Ensure that the chosen book is at a comfortable reading level for your child. Reading words effortlessly (the recommended accuracy rate is about 90%) allows them to focus on fluency and understanding the content rather than struggling with individual words.

2. Reader’s Theatre for Engaging Learning:

If attention spans are limited, engage your child in Reader's Theatre. Take turns reading parts of a script to bring a play or movie scene to life. This interactive approach not only enhances fluency but also encourages expressive reading. Online resources offer various scripts to get you started.

3. Sight Words Games:

Reinforce sight words, crucial for fluency, through engaging games like Snakes 'n Ladders, Memory, Go Fish, or Bingo. Utilize the Dolch sight word list as a guide, incorporating these words into enjoyable activities. Explore different activities on websites offering Dolch lists by grade for an interactive learning experience.

4. Model Fluent Reading:

Make 20-minute daily read-aloud sessions a part of your routine. Reading books beyond your child's reading level and discussing them together enhances vocabulary and comprehension. Modeling fluent reading through read-aloud sets a positive example for your child.

5. Revisit Favorite Books:

Contrary to some beliefs, encourage your child to revisit favorite books. Repetition fosters fluency as they shift focus from individual words to bringing the story to life with various voices and expressions. This practice helps deepen comprehension skills.

6. Choral Reading for Collaborative Learning:

Introduce choral reading, where you read a passage aloud first, then invite your child to join in and read together at the same pace. This collaborative approach reinforces what fluent reading should sound like. Select books at or slightly below your child's level for a confidence-building experience.

As with building fluency in math, consistent practice is the key to success in literacy fluency. Create an environment that encourages regular reading and exploration of various activities. By incorporating these strategies, you not only nurture your child's fluency but also contribute to their overall language development.

In the context of seeking additional support, consider the benefits of a reading tutor or literacy tutor. Online tutoring platforms provide access to the best tutors who specialize in literacy skills regardless of your location. Whether it's reading help, fluency development, or phonics, online elementary tutors can offer personalized assistance tailored to your child's needs.

Practice and engagement are crucial, so share these fluency-building activities.