Reading ability and choosing a book at your child's reading level affects comprehension and accessibility of text. Selecting a text that is too easy will not increase comprehension or ability. Asking your child to read a text that is too difficult may cause him to avoid reading or become upset. Your child will not be able to build fluency, recognize words or understand what is being presented in a book that is above or below his ability. Use the five-finger rule. If your child has difficulty with five words on a page (elementary) or five words in a paragraph (middle school), he needs a more simple text.
Many books are printed with age and level on the cover or dust jacket. For example, the book The Class Election from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler has RL3 007-010 printed above the bar code. This means that it is appropriate for third grade students (RL3) and students ages 7 to 10. If it was printed RL3.3. It means third grade, third month of school. These rules should help you select a book that is right for your child.
Fluency is the ability to read at a consistent rate or speed. It includes tone of voice and expression. Reading too slowly, too quickly, or without expression may cause your child to overlook or miss content and meaning. Several strategies will help build fluency with your child.
Modeling is one way to demonstrate fluency. Read to your child with a consistent rate and speed, changing your voice between characters and to express emotion. If you are uncomfortable reading aloud, many libraries offer books on tape, CD or Playaways. Some libraries also offer short-term mp3 downloads. Allow your child to follow along with the text with her own copy of the book.
Repeated reading allows your child to become familiar with a text. The more often she reads a text, the more comfortable she will become. Your child will read the story more smoothly and begin adding expression. Once your child becomes familiar with the text, choose another story that contains similar words.
Decoding is the ability to break a word into smaller pieces. Decoding starts in kindergarten and develops throughout elementary school. As your child gets older, the ability to recognize and pronounce words correctly based on previous knowledge, should increase. If your child has difficulty with decoding or recognizing words, it will cause decreased comprehension.
Clapping as you pronounce each syllable or sound of a new word is one way to help younger children build decoding skills. It allows your child to develop the ability to break apart words into smaller units or phonemes.
Picture cards help build the ability to recognize words. If your child is in elementary school, find picture examples with the word attached to build recognition in whole language. Your child will then use this skill while reading books, examining pictures to help develop meaning. In middle school, your child may use this strategy to build context and understanding of new words as well.
Repeated practice of new words is also beneficial. Have your child practice reading word lists, such as Fry's 1000 Words or Dolch Words. If an unknown word is discovered, have your child practice using flash cards.
Comprehension takes your child's ability to read fluently, decode and recognize words, and allows her to build meaning. Building comprehension takes time and practice. A strategy to use at home is retelling. Allow your child retell in her own words what she reads.
Journaling is a written approach that not only improves comprehension, but also builds writing ability. Encourage your child to write about her favorite part of a story, a retelling, or a review of the book (why she would or would not recommend the book).
Asking higher order thinking (HOT) questions also builds comprehension. These questions go beyond what your child reads on a page. HOT questions range from (easy) remembering, understanding, applying, to (harder) analyzing, evaluating, creating. Instead of asking your child, "Who is the main character?", ask "How did the behavior of the main character change from the beginning of the story to the end of the story?" Ask your child to give examples from the text that support the given response.
Reading comprehension does not develop overnight. Work with your child's teacher to monitor growth. Let your child choose books that interest him and make reading part of your family's daily routine. If you have concerns, speak with your child's general education teacher or a reading specialist at his school. The school may have additional tools and suggestions available to help you work with your child at home.