For children to be successful readers, they must learn to read fluently. Fluency consists of four parts:
- Accuracy
- Speed
- Expression
- Comprehension
Children must be able to focus on meaning when reading instead of putting all their effort into taking words apart. Our goal as readers is to read to understand.
Encourage your child to read more while keeping speed, accuracy and expression in mind.
There are many activities parents can do at home to build fluency:
- Reread familiar and favorite stories (repeated readings)
- Model fluent reading by reading aloud to your child. Be sure to use expression and try to sound like the characters while reading.
- Poetry and nursery rhymes can be used to practice fluency.
- Practice basic sight words to make sure s/he knows them automatically. This will improve accuracy and speed.
- Use paired reading to build fluency. Read a poem or short story to your child. Then read it together several times. Finally, have your child read it to you.
- Encourage your child to read to a younger sibling.
- Find a comic strip in a newspaper and have your child read it aloud with expression.
- READ, READ, READ and most importantly make it fun!
