Reading

Reading is an important part of everyone's life.  There are many ways that you can help your child when they are reading.

Ways to support your child as a reader:

• Read with your child every night!  Snuggle books, picture books, magazines, etc. Read anything and everything!
• When your child is reading to you, choose "just right" books that are not too hard, so that he/she does not get frustrated
• Find stories and books that interest your child 
• Visit the public library and book stores often
• Model reading yourself
• Talk about reading!
• Read signs and community print as a reminder of why reading is important
• Encourage your child with LOTS of praise and reassurance!

Strategies that will help your child solve unfamiliar words:

• Use pictures and other text features as clues for new vocabulary and for better understanding
• Predict what might happen next
• Does what they are reading make sense? 
• Sound out new words
• Find smaller words or sounds in larger, unknown words (example: sh-out-ed, up-stairs)
• If stuck on the word, read the whole sentence or page and try to find a word that makes sense
• Does the word sound right?
• Does the word look right?
• Go back and re-read when necessary
• Look at the structure of the word, especially beginning letters, endings, and then familiar word parts
• Use expression so that reading sounds like talking

* Please remember:
A child will become frustrated very quickly if the reading material is too difficult.  To choose “good-fit” books with your child, try using the acronym I PICK. 
I choose a book
P urpose – Why do I want to read it?
I nterest – Does it interest me?
C omprehend – Am I understanding what I am reading?
K now – I know most of the words