The do's for reading with your child
First 4 basic "do's" to keep in mind:
DO Relax - try to make it fun and enjoyable for you and the child. The experience should strengthen your relationship, not weaken it.
DO choose a good time & place - choose a good time when your child is fresh and you are feeling patient and perhaps less stressed. If it has to be after school give your child something to eat and drink and let them relax or play for a while first. And make sure you choose a quiet place without distractions.
DO select books carefully - choose the books well. Hopefully the book will be at the right level, and the child will enjoy it. If the books are boring speak to the child's teacher and try to substitute another book.
DO encourage your child and praise them - the purpose of the session is to help, encourage and build confidence, not test, frustrate and shatter confidence.
5 more specific "do's":
Talk about the book first - read the title, look at the book, ask if he or she has read it before, ask what they think it's about etc. Perhaps read the first page for your child.
Let the child hold the book. It's more natural and gives them a sense of being in charge.
Talk about the book after reading (not as a test, just as a chat).
Show patience; progress can be slow.
Help them as they read but don't labor any teaching moment. If they can't get the sound "oar" give them the word after a few attempts and read on. You can come back to this sound on another occasion. Remember that fluency is important for your child to gain meaning from what they are reading and for building confidence. Teachers can give more support as part of oral reading because they're trained to know what to look for and how to offer many different forms of support. For parents, if you're in doubt, give them the word and read on.
DO Relax - try to make it fun and enjoyable for you and the child. The experience should strengthen your relationship, not weaken it.
DO choose a good time & place - choose a good time when your child is fresh and you are feeling patient and perhaps less stressed. If it has to be after school give your child something to eat and drink and let them relax or play for a while first. And make sure you choose a quiet place without distractions.
DO select books carefully - choose the books well. Hopefully the book will be at the right level, and the child will enjoy it. If the books are boring speak to the child's teacher and try to substitute another book.
DO encourage your child and praise them - the purpose of the session is to help, encourage and build confidence, not test, frustrate and shatter confidence.
5 more specific "do's":
Talk about the book first - read the title, look at the book, ask if he or she has read it before, ask what they think it's about etc. Perhaps read the first page for your child.
Let the child hold the book. It's more natural and gives them a sense of being in charge.
Talk about the book after reading (not as a test, just as a chat).
Show patience; progress can be slow.
Help them as they read but don't labor any teaching moment. If they can't get the sound "oar" give them the word after a few attempts and read on. You can come back to this sound on another occasion. Remember that fluency is important for your child to gain meaning from what they are reading and for building confidence. Teachers can give more support as part of oral reading because they're trained to know what to look for and how to offer many different forms of support. For parents, if you're in doubt, give them the word and read on.