Parent Reading Resources
What does it mean to be a fluent reader?
As your child transitions from learning to read to reading to learn, it will be important for him or her to be a fluent reader. You may be asking yourself, “What does it mean to be a fluent reader?” Simply stated; a fluent reader is someone who can read a text accurately, with automaticity and expression.
- Your next question may be, “How do I know if my child is reading fluently?” You can begin by listening to your child read. Does he or she have to stop every few words to sound out a word? Does he or she quickly guess at unfamiliar words? Does your child read the text correctly, but it takes them a long time to read it? If so, than your child is most likely not reading that piece of text fluently.
- If your child is not reading fluently, we first need to ask ourselves three questions. One, what happens when I give him or her an easier book or piece of text? Two, do the words on the page follow the phonics patterns that he or she has learned in school? And three, does the book or text include content specific vocabulary such as the name of different dinosaurs?
Strategies to practice fluency at home:
- Repeated Readings: Encourage your child to read the same book three times over the course of the week. Each time, have him or her read the book aloud. As you listen, take mental notes about their accuracy, automaticity, and expression. If your child reads a word incorrectly, wait till he or she has finished the page or sentence to correct them. Be sure to point to the word when you say it correctly.
- Readers Theater: This is a wonderful way for children to practice reading aloud. Encourage your child to read their lines from the script. The focus should not be on memorizing lines. Click here for scripts.
- Record the Reader: Have your child record themselves reading a book. Then have him or her follow along in the book while listening to themselves read. Any type of voice recorder should work well for this activity.
Need ideas for a good book? Check out Reading Rockets Adventure Packets for books to look for at our local library.