If your child has one or no fingers up once she’s finished reading, then the book will likely be easy for her to read. Easy level books are appropriate for promoting reading frequency and enjoyment. If you’re looking for a reading experience to slightly challenge the child and help her improve her skills, however, you might want to encourage her to look for a “two-finger” book instead.
A child with two fingers up at the end of the page might need occasional help with some words, but will benefit from the challenge. Two-finger books will encourage young readers to sound out words and build other literacy skills, such as vocabulary development. Two-finger books are still easy enough for children to understand and enjoy.
Three fingers make a “W,” which stands for “warning.” Your child will be able to read the book, but it might be just a bit too challenging for her to read on her own, making for a more frustrating reading experience. Avoid frustration by selecting three-finger books that aren’t long, or have a children's dictionary nearby for your child to consult for quick-reference.
Four or more fingers signals that the book is too difficult for the child to comprehend and enjoy on her own. That doesn’t mean, however, that she shouldn’t choose the book. Difficult reads can encourage literacy development when read together with a grown-up, who can provide support with word pronunciations, definitions, connotations and contexts. Literacy experts agree that parent-child cooperative reading boosts literacy skills as well as parent-child bonding, according to the GreatSchools website.