Every day we talk a lot about the significance of phonics in our kids’ academic lives. We are always on the hunt for word and alphabet-based activities for our kids. We are fully aware that only reading is not important. Comprehension too, deserves significant attention. However, in all this, we often overlook the importance of fluency.
Let us first understand what reading fluency exactly means. Then we will do a deep dive into the strategies to improve it.
What is Reading Fluency?
Reading fluency is the reader’s capability to read the text properly. He should read at the right speed, accuracy, and appropriate expression. Do you know what reading fluency struggle is? Does your child trip over words? Does he/she read like this – “He. Is. My. Best. Friend?” or he/she reads without taking a breath like- “hisnameisarunheismybestfriend’?If this is the case, then it is time to make them understand the importance of fluency. Always remember, better fluency leads to a great understanding.
Here are some ways to improve your child’s reading fluency.
1) Teach Through Modeling
There is a prerequisite to understanding the concept of fluent reading. Your child must first hear and understand what fluent reading sounds like. If they do so, they can be able to transfer those experiences into their reading very quickly.There is a powerful way for you to improve the kid’s reading fluency. You can read aloud with them often and with proper tone and emotion. Include different genres such as poetry, story, and speeches. These will grab the child’s attention and draw them into the reading experience. Also, keep encouraging them to share their thoughts.
2) Practice Makes Perfect
Achieving reading fluency requires practice. Expert readers were not born that way. They worked hard to achieve their ability to read fluently. The ultimate goal of reading fluency is to be able to read fluently and it requires effort and time.Therefore, you can tell your child to read the same passage repeatedly. This will accelerate reading fluency.
3) Use Audio Recordings
Audiobook investment is one of the fantastic ways to improve your child’s reading fluency. Your child can listen to their favorite book often without having you read it a million times.Your child can listen to books on tape or CD and follow along as someone else reads it. You can even record your voice as you read aloud to your child.
4) Do Paired Reading
You can make paired reading a daily practice within your literacy block. This will help make your child a fluent reader. To do a paired reading, you can read an alternate sentence with your child or read aloud together.For paired reading, make use of a book or passage that is not too long.
5) Try Echo Reading
Echo reading is a type of fluent modeling. In it, you read a sentence to your child and have him/her read it back to you with the same tone and emotions that you have used.Echo reading helps your child in recognizing words. This will also help anchor important words in their vocabulary.
6) Identify Their Trouble Areas
In reading fluency, speed, precision, and prosody are building blocks. When you listen to your child read, make a note of how your child is performing. Check where is he doing well and where he is struggling? Try to focus on the area where your child needs help the most.7) Create a Stress-free Environment
If your child is enjoying a book, anxiety and stress will be reduced. This, in turn, will improve the child’s reading fluency. You can create a relaxing environment in several ways. Removing deadlines, time limits and evaluation-related goals are a few of them.8) Try Different Font and Text Sizes
You can experiment with different fonts and text sizes. This will help in fluency difficulty caused by a visual impairment. Sometimes larger text or text printed on a color-tinted paper can solve the issue.A few types of fonts are more appropriate for people with learning abilities. Their typography helps with discerning letters and interpreting language.
9) Opt for Reading Fluency Improvement Program
If you feel your child needs an extra boost, you can enroll for a reading fluency improvement program. You can enlist tutors to help your kid so your kid can get one-on-one support.10) Build Rock-Solid Sight Word Vocabulary
Core words are the building blocks of a child’s reading and writing skills. If your child cannot quickly recognize the common words, then he/she will surely stumble. The reason is simple- he/she will try to sound out everything he/she reads.Signing Off
The above discussed are just a few of the ways that you can use to improve reading fluency and making it fun and engaging for your child. With these tips and tricks, your child will be on the road to becoming a stronger reader in a short span of time.Do you use any other ideas bespoke to the distinctive personality and character of your child? Share your tips, thoughts, views, suggestions for it in the comment section below.
