Set aside a regular special reading time for your child to read aloud to you. This helps create a positive association with books and reading. Don’t be overly critical of your child’s abilities– remember they’re still learning to read. Mistakes are inevitable and part of the process. Help them use their decoding skills to sound out words. Most of all, make reading fun by being a good listener – this means putting away phones and other devices, focusing on your child and the book, and discussing the story together after your child reads it aloud.
Start reading, and as they complete each book record the title on here using the logging function. When they have read 50 books, visit the library to pick up their prize, which will include a free book and a certificate of completion. Additional prizes will unlock along the way. Follow us on Facebook for more information.
Why It’s Important
In second grade, while students are still using their decoding skills to sound out unfamiliar words, they are also relating new information to what they already know. For instance, if your child reads a book about dinosaurs, they may recall facts and pictures they’ve already been shown of those dinosaurs. In less than two years, your student will shift from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Before this shift it is important that they acquire as much critical reading practice as possible. Reading challenges like this help ensure that your student is able to get the most out of the educational reading they will be assigned in the future. You probably already know that reading aloud to children is the most important aspect of preparing them to read on their own. It is equally as important for your children to read aloud themselves. Here’s why:
• Reading aloud enhances fluency by increasing the number of words a child recognizes automatically.
• Reading aloud strengthens comprehension by giving children practice recognizing words, sentence structures, and organization patterns.
• Reading aloud helps develop critical reading skills by encouraging children to read expressively.
• Reading aloud helps struggling readers monitor themselves and identify areas they may need additional help.
This Reading Challenge has been adapted for use at GLADL, from a program created by Clinton-Macomb Public Library, and is used with their permission.