Helping your child learn to read – A parent's guide


Contents

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A word about this guide

The Ontario Early Reading Strategy is intended to help children from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 3 improve their reading skills. The strategy includes setting targets to improve the reading achievement of students at school. This guide contains tips that parents* can use to encourage their young children to read and to love reading. It will be most useful for parents of young children who are just beginning to read.

You don't need to do everything suggested in this guide! Instead, read through the suggestions and choose the ones that you think will be most helpful for you and your child. If you are the parent of a child who has special needs, you are encouraged to use this guide, adapting the tips to suit the particular needs of your child.

Many other resources are available to help you help your child learn to read. You may want to consult teachers, librarians, and the staff of community organizations that work with children. You may also want to obtain more information about the Ministry of Education's reading expectations for children and the province-wide Grade 3 reading tests conducted by the Education Quality and Accountability Office. The last part of this guide provides more information about these resources.

If English is not your child's first language, this guide can still be of help. It is important to read to your child in his or her first language. Having a strong grasp of the first language will make it easier for your child to learn English.

* In this guide, the word "parent" is meant to include guardians, caregivers, and other family members who can help young children learn to read.

Why is it important for my child to read?

The ability to read is vital. It paves the way to success in school, which can build self-confidence and motivate your child to set high expectations for life.

People read for many reasons:

  • for pleasure and interest

  • for work

  • to obtain information that will help them make choices and decisions

  • to understand directions (such as those on street signs and in recipe books)

  • to learn about the world

  • to keep in touch with family and friends

How will my child learn to read?

Learning to read does not happen all at once. It involves a series of stages that lead, over time, to independent reading and to fluency.

The best time for children to start learning to read is when they are very young, usually at the preschool level. This is when they are best able to start developing basic reading skills.

The stages involved in learning to read are listed below.

1.  The pre-reader and the beginning reader:

  • likes to look at books and likes to be read to

  • likes to behave like a reader – for example, holds books and pretends to read them

  • learns about words by looking at picture books and playing with blocks that have letters on them, magnetic letters, and so on

  • learns about words from songs, rhymes, traffic signs, and logos on packages of food

  • learns how text works – for example, where a story starts and finishes and which way the print proceeds

  • begins to understand that his or her own thoughts can be put into print

  • uses pictures and memory to tell and retell a story

2.  The emerging reader:

  • is ready to receive instructions about reading

  • learns that text is a common way to tell a story or to convey information

  • begins to match written words to spoken words and to perceive relationships between sounds and letters

  • begins to experiment with reading, and is willing to try to say words out loud when reading simple texts

  • finds the pictures helpful in understanding the text, and learns that the words convey a message consistent with the pictures

3.  The early reader:

  • develops more confidence and uses a variety of methods, such as relying on visual cues, to identify words in texts

  • adapts his or her reading to different kinds of texts

  • recognizes many words, knows a lot about reading, and is willing to try new texts

4.  The fluent reader:

  • thinks of reading as a good thing and does it automatically

  • uses a variety of methods to identify words and their meanings

  • can read various kinds of texts and predict events in a story

  • relates the meaning of books to his or her own experience and knowledge, and understands what is new

It takes time to pass through each of these stages, and your child will need plenty of attention and support as he or she moves through them. You can play a leading role in helping your child acquire the reading skills he or she needs to succeed!

How can I help my child?

As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. When you help your child learn to read, you are opening the door to a world of books and learning.

Reading aloud to children is the best way to get them interested in reading. Before long they will grow to love stories and books. Eventually they will want to read on their own.

With the help of parents, children can learn how to read and can practise reading until they can read for their own enjoyment. Then they will have a whole world of information and knowledge at their fingertips!

Reading can be a family activity. Spending time with word games, stories, and books will help your child to:

  • gather information and learn about the world

  • learn how stories and books work – that they have beginnings, endings, characters, and themes

  • build a rich vocabulary by reading and talking about new words

  • learn how to listen and how to think

  • learn the sounds of language and language patterns

  • fall in love with books

It's natural to want to compare your child's reading abilities with those of other children of the same age, but not all children develop reading skills at the same pace. What's important is that you are aware of your child's reading level so that you can choose books and activities that will help him or her improve. Use the tips in this guide and work with your child's teacher and others to improve your child's reading skills.

What tips can I use to help my child learn to read?

Tip 1 –  Talk to Your Child

Oral language is the foundation for reading. Listening and speaking are a child's first introduction to language. Talking and singing teach your child the sounds of language, making it easier for him or her to learn how to read.

Here are some things you can do to help your child build an appreciation for words and language:

  • Tell family stories about yourself, your child's grandparents, and other relatives.

  • Talk to your child as much as possible about things you are doing and thinking.

  • Ask your child lots of questions.

  • Encourage your child to tell you what he or she thinks or feels.

  • Ask your child to tell you about his or her day – about activities and games played.

  • Be patient! Give your child time to find the words he or she wants to use.

  • Sing songs, such as the alphabet song, and recite nursery rhymes, encouraging your child to join in.

  • Play rhyming and riddle games.

Tip 2 –  Make Reading Fun

Reading aloud can be a lot of fun, not just for parents but for all family members. Here are some ways to get the most out of reading to your young child:

  • Read with drama and excitement! Use different voices for different characters in the story. Use your child's name instead of a character's name. Make puppets and use them to act out a story.

  • Re-read your child's favourite stories as many times as your child wants to hear them, and choose books and authors that your child enjoys.

  • Read stories that have repetitive parts and encourage your child to join in.

  • Point to words as you read them. This will help your child make a connection between the words he or she hears you say and the words on the page.

  • Read all kinds of material – stories, poems, information books, magazine and newspaper articles, and comics.

  • Encourage relatives and friends to give your child books as gifts.

  • Take your child to the library and look at interactive CD-ROMs and the Internet, as well as books.

  • Subscribe to a magazine for your child. He or she will love receiving mail!

The more you enjoy the reading experience, the more your child will enjoy it.

Tip 3 –  Read Every Day

Children love routine, and reading is something that you and your child can look forward to every day. By taking the time to read with your child, you show him or her that reading is important and fun to do.

Try to read with your child as often as possible. It's the best thing you can do to help him or her learn at school! It also allows you to spend time together in an enjoyable way and to build a strong and healthy relationship.

  • Start reading with your child when he or she is very young.

  • Set aside a special time each day when you can give your full attention to reading with your child.

  • Choose a comfortable spot to read, where you can be close to your child. Make it your "reading place"! Set aside a special shelf in that area for your child's books.

  • Choose a variety of books.

  • Vary the length of reading time according to your child's age and interests. For young children, several short sessions (of 10 minutes each) may be better than one long session (of 30 minutes).

  • Read slowly so that your child can form a mental picture of what is happening in the story.

  • Praise your child for his or her ideas and participation!

  • When you and your child are away from home, take along books, magazines, and books-on-tape for your child to read and listen to.

  • Keep reading to your child even after he or she has learned to read. By reading stories that will interest your child but that are above his or her reading level, you can stretch your child's understanding and keep alive the magic of shared reading.

Tip 4 –  Set an Example

As a parent, you are your child's most important role model. If your child sees you reading, especially for pleasure or information, he or she will understand that reading is a worthwhile activity.

You can also share many daily reading activities with your child. Here are some ideas:

  • Read recipes, food labels, schedules, maps, instructions, and brochures.

  • Read traffic signs and signs in stores and restaurants.

  • Look up information in cookbooks, manuals, phone books, atlases, and dictionaries.

  • Read greeting cards, letters, and e-mail messages to and from relatives and friends.

Tip 5 –  Talk About Books

Talking about the books you read is just as important as reading them. Discussing a story or a book with your child helps your child understand it and connect it to his or her own experience of life. It also helps enrich your child's vocabulary with new words and phrases.

Here are some ways to help your child acquire skills in comprehension, reasoning, and critical thinking:

  • Ask your child about the kinds of books he or she would like to read.

  • Talk to your child about your favourite books from childhood, and offer to read them.

  • Encourage your child to ask questions and to comment on the story and pictures in a book – before, during, and after reading it.

  • Look at the cover and the title of a book with your child, and ask your child what he or she thinks might happen in the story.

  • Encourage your child to think critically about the story. Does he or she agree or disagree with the author? Why?

  • Think out loud about the story as you read, and encourage your child to do the same. For example, ask, "Does this make sense? Why or why not?"

  • Give your child time to think about the story, and then ask him or her about it again a few days later.

Tip 6 –  Listen to your child read

As your child learns to read, listen to him or her read aloud. Reading to you gives your child a chance to practise and to improve his or her reading skills.

As you listen to your child, remember that your reactions are important. Above all, listen without interrupting. Be enthusiastic and praise your child as often as you can. If possible, be specific with your praise so that your child knows what he or she is doing well.

  • Show your child that you are enjoying the story by indicating interest and by asking questions.

  • Give your child time to figure out tricky words, and show your child how he or she can learn from mistakes.

  • Try to have your child read aloud to you at times when there will be no interruptions.

  • Make sure that your child selects books that aren't too difficult. Don't worry if the books your child chooses are a little easier than the ones he or she reads at school.

  • Encourage your child to "listen" to his or her own reading. Listening will help him or her hear mistakes and try to fix them.

  • Take turns reading with your child, especially if he or she is just beginning to read, or try reading together.

  • Talk about a story after your child has read it, to make sure that he or she understands it.

Don't forget to encourage your child to read on his or her own!

Tip 7 –  Show that you value your child's efforts

Remember, your child needs to know that you value his or her efforts. Children learn to read over time, with lots of practice and support from parents and teachers.

Here are some ways you can show your child that you have confidence in his or her ability to learn:

  • Be aware of your child's reading level, but use that information in a positive way. Choose books and activities that are at the right level and that will help your child improve his or her reading skills.

  • Be patient and flexible in your efforts to help your child.

  • Show your child that you see him or her as a growing reader, and praise his or her efforts to learn.

Where can I get help?

Don't feel that you are alone. Family members and friends may be willing to support you in helping your child learn to read. Your child's teacher and local librarians are knowledgeable and can offer help. You can also seek advice from community organizations such as child care centres and from your family doctor.

Your Child's Teacher

When children see their parents and teachers working together, they feel more secure and confident. Taking an interest in your child's education will help your child do better in school.

Your child's teacher can provide advice about helping your child learn to read. Here are some topics you could discuss with the teacher:

  • your child's reading level

  • the reading goals for your child and how you can support your child in working towards those goals

  • books that your child could read easily and books that he or she would find more difficult

  • books and authors your child might enjoy

  • the level of your child's interest in reading – for example, whether he or she chooses to read for enjoyment

  • reading strategies your child could use

  • books or guides that could help you help your child

Your child's teacher can suggest a variety of strategies that your child can and should use to learn how to read, and especially to get through difficult passages.

For example, your child's teacher may suggest some or all of the following strategies for your child to try if he or she gets stuck on a word:

  • Think about what word would make sense in the story or sentence.

  • Sound the word out.

  • Think of a word that looks and sounds similar.

  • Look for parts of the word that are familiar.

  • Think about what word would sound right in the sentence.

  • Check the pictures and the punctuation marks for clues.

  • Go back and read again.

  • Ask for help with the word.

Others Who Can Help

You can enlist many other people besides your child's teacher as partners in helping your child learn to read. Here are some suggestions:

  • Consider involving relatives and friends in helping to motivate your child to learn to read. Older siblings, grandparents, family friends, and your child's caregivers can add their support and encouragement.

  • Take your child to your local library and look for books that will interest him or her. Some children find books with interactive features particularly motivating. Ask the librarians for help. They will know which books are most appealing to young children.

  • Talk to staff in local child care centres, parent-child drop-in centres, and other community organizations. They will be familiar with community resources that could be helpful.

  • If your child has trouble learning to read, ask your family doctor to check your child's hearing and vision. It may be that a medical condition is contributing to his or her reading difficulties.

Government resources

The Ministry of Education's curriculum identifies the learning expectations in reading for all students. Two curriculum documents cover the expectations for young children – The Kindergarten Program and The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Language.

Another ministry document, entitled The Ontario Curriculum – Exemplars, Grades 1-8 : Reading, provides teachers, parents, and students with samples of student work at each of the four levels of achievement identified in the curriculum document for Grades 1 to 8.

To obtain copies of the curriculum documents, call Publications Ontario, toll-free, at 1-800-668-9938. To obtain additional copies of this guide, call the ministry's toll-free information line: 1-800-387-5514.

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), an arm's-length agency of the Ministry of Education, is responsible for administering annual province-wide tests of Ontario students, including a Grade 3 reading test. For more information about the Grade 3 test and the results of tests administered to date, visit EQAO's website, at www.eqao.com.

ISBN 0-7794-3791-8