Before I was a parent, I didn't understand when parents told me that their child didn't want to read their home reader at home. They enjoyed reading at school so why was home reading so different. Part of me thought it was due to poor home routines as school is very structured and routine based. That was until I had my own children and realised the struggle is real!! Some children don't want to read when they get home. They love being read to but reading themselves is a whole different scenario. My little boy just wanted to play and yes, play is very important, but so is home reading. Reading should be enjoyable and not a battle.
In my first ever blog, I will endeavour to help parents to manage home reading as well as explain the significant importance.
Some helpful hints
1. Try to establish a good reading time that is uninterrupted. 5 - 10 minutes is all you will need.
2. If they are reluctant to read, offer to read together and read a page or sentence each. Modelling how reading sounds is a good help for a developing reader.
3. Praise their efforts for attempting tricky words and for how they are using their voice.
4. Reward or offer incentives if they need some encouragement. Eg. Extra playtime, special time with mum/dad; some screen time; a little treat; choice in dinner; sticker chart; etc Whatever works for you!
5. If all else fails, read the story to them. Sit them next to you and show how you enjoy reading. Talk about the characters, the plot or your favourite parts. You might find they join in with you.
What if they bring the same book home again and again?
Bringing home a book more than once is okay. I actually recommend it! As the first time, children are learning about the story and doing a lot of problem solving of new words. The second time they can work on making it sound good, by phrasing words together, increasing fluency and expression.
If they bring home the same book it is often because they enjoy the story or it is an easy book to read. Encourage them to bring a new book next time and show appreciation when they remember to do so.
Why reading allowed is important?
Reading out aloud at home is very important. It enables children to practise their phrasing and fluency. They need to know how to make their reading sound good. It also allows children to hear their mistakes, to make sure they are making sense and sounding right. Of course readers need to check for visual errors as well and look at parts of words.
I believe it is the parents responsibility to listen to their children read each afternoon/evening/morning (whatever suits you). But it is also important to see the print to ensure they are actually reading the words on the page. Yes I know parents can get busy and reading to you whilst cooking or driving is okay if you are listening, responding, praising and questioning. However, would you know if they substituted a word that still made sense? Of course if they do this now and again it doesn't matter. But if they are making the same or similar mistakes over and over again, confusions can occur.
Do I tell my child a word if they get stuck?
It depends!
Yes, if it is a name of a character or if it is an uncommon/tricky word such as unique or enough. These are words that are difficult to use visual information or meaning especially if it is not in their vocabulary.
No, for many reasons.
If your child appeals all the time they are not becoming independent problem solvers. They will be become reliant on the helper and not think for themselves.
Children are capable of thinking about the story and using their knowledge of phonics to solve most words. All it needs is a little encouragement and prompting. (This will be my next post).
They will feel successful if they do it themselves. It is very important to give children wait time to solve. This is something I have had to learn myself. Resist the urge to jump in to help. Encourage thinking and to use what they know.
In my first ever blog, I will endeavour to help parents to manage home reading as well as explain the significant importance.
Some helpful hints
1. Try to establish a good reading time that is uninterrupted. 5 - 10 minutes is all you will need.
2. If they are reluctant to read, offer to read together and read a page or sentence each. Modelling how reading sounds is a good help for a developing reader.
3. Praise their efforts for attempting tricky words and for how they are using their voice.
4. Reward or offer incentives if they need some encouragement. Eg. Extra playtime, special time with mum/dad; some screen time; a little treat; choice in dinner; sticker chart; etc Whatever works for you!
5. If all else fails, read the story to them. Sit them next to you and show how you enjoy reading. Talk about the characters, the plot or your favourite parts. You might find they join in with you.
What if they bring the same book home again and again?
Bringing home a book more than once is okay. I actually recommend it! As the first time, children are learning about the story and doing a lot of problem solving of new words. The second time they can work on making it sound good, by phrasing words together, increasing fluency and expression.
If they bring home the same book it is often because they enjoy the story or it is an easy book to read. Encourage them to bring a new book next time and show appreciation when they remember to do so.
Why reading allowed is important?
Reading out aloud at home is very important. It enables children to practise their phrasing and fluency. They need to know how to make their reading sound good. It also allows children to hear their mistakes, to make sure they are making sense and sounding right. Of course readers need to check for visual errors as well and look at parts of words.
I believe it is the parents responsibility to listen to their children read each afternoon/evening/morning (whatever suits you). But it is also important to see the print to ensure they are actually reading the words on the page. Yes I know parents can get busy and reading to you whilst cooking or driving is okay if you are listening, responding, praising and questioning. However, would you know if they substituted a word that still made sense? Of course if they do this now and again it doesn't matter. But if they are making the same or similar mistakes over and over again, confusions can occur.
Do I tell my child a word if they get stuck?
It depends!
Yes, if it is a name of a character or if it is an uncommon/tricky word such as unique or enough. These are words that are difficult to use visual information or meaning especially if it is not in their vocabulary.
No, for many reasons.
If your child appeals all the time they are not becoming independent problem solvers. They will be become reliant on the helper and not think for themselves.
Children are capable of thinking about the story and using their knowledge of phonics to solve most words. All it needs is a little encouragement and prompting. (This will be my next post).
They will feel successful if they do it themselves. It is very important to give children wait time to solve. This is something I have had to learn myself. Resist the urge to jump in to help. Encourage thinking and to use what they know.
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