A fun way to share some quality time and build reading fluency is to do shared readings with your children. Do this by you reading a page and the child reading the next page. Be sure to “ham it up” when you read dialogue. Children love funny voices and over-exaggerated expression. You will love it and your child will love not only the quality time but also the wonderful modeling you will be providing.
Children in today’s society have so many things to keep them busy – television, video games, computers in addition to the normal things like toys and playing outside. It’s no wonder that a quiet activity like reading has difficulty competing with these “high interest” choices that children have available to them. If your child enjoys television, using the computer and playing video games, there are plenty of good “educational” choices available that can help your child build his/her reading skills while having fun at the same time. Look for television shows or games that teach your child something as well as keep them interested and involved. Shows or games that expand his/her knowledge-base or build vocabulary are helpful choices since a child’s vocabulary is directly linked to how well s/he will do in school. Some good examples are “Blue’s Clues,” “Between the Lions,” “Reading Rainbow,” and “Zoom” to name just a few. For computers, programs such as Reader Rabbit can be fun as well as helpful for reading skill development. Find games that reinforce a child’s sense of rhythm or that get children up and moving are also good since children who are physically fit do better in school than more sedentary, overweight children. Finally, remember that our children see what we value most by watching what we do ourselves. If you want your child to enjoy reading, then show that you enjoy reading by being an active reader yourself.
