Reading Tips to Try at Home

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The most important thing to teach your child is that reading always involves getting meaning.

*Read to your child often, allowing him or her to watch the text as you read.

*Read to your child, leaving out heavily cued words for the child to fill in.  Encourage any attempt that makes sense.

*Have your child listen to books on tape pointing to the text as they listen.

*Read difficult part of stories for the child (they will be more willing to join in as confidence increases.)  Ask the child to retell the story in their own words.

*Ask your child to read a story silently, then discuss with you.

*Use your child’s own writing for reading material.  Scribe for the child if necessary.

*Cut up (into sentences) a short known story for your child to practice sequencing.  Or take a difficult sentence and cut it up into words for them to sequence.

*Encourage your child to memorize known and loved songs, rhymes, etc.  Write them out and have child illustrate and read.