If your child…

Does not recognize words that rhyme

Then…

Sing nursery rhymes with your child

Does not recognize most letters of the alphabet

Use alphabet magnets on the refrigerator to play with words and letters

Cannot say the common sounds of most letters

Play Match My Sound. For example, “What Sound does SSSsnake begin with?”

Stumbles through words

Use flashcards to practice recognizing sight words.

Reads very slowly, with many pauses

Use a timer to reread stories and record time.

Reads too fast, blurring words, rushing through information

Practice pausing at periods and commas and use correct expression with exclamation marks, question marks, and quotation marks.

Reads words but can’t answer questions about what he/she read

Practice retelling a story a sentence, page or chapter at a time. *Pay attention to details and have students go into great details about a specific character or sentence in order to create a picture in their mind (Can also use a picture and have your child explain what they see in the picture to you without you seeing the picture itself, and seeing if they get all the details).

Does not believe he/she is a good reader

Build confidence by encouraging reading and good book choices that are on the child’s reading level (even if it is a picture book)

Does not enjoy reading

Visit the library on a regular basis and allow your child to choose books that interest him or her. For example, books about ballet dancing, motorcycles, or dinosaurs.

Appears to have difficulty using science, social studies or math textbooks to complete assignments and/or does not appear to put much effort, into reading assignments

Contact your child’s teacher for ways to help your child with grade level work.



 

If your Child…

Does not read for pleasure

Then you should…

Create a comfortable area in the home for reading

Does not read for at least thirty minutes at one sitting

Encourage the habit of reading at the same time each day

Does not remember what he/she reads

Try to follow up his or her reading with questions about the story.*Pay attention to details and have students go into great details about a specific character or sentence in order to create a picture in their mind (Can also use a picture and have your child explain what they see in the picture to you without you seeing the picture itself, and seeing if they get all the details).

Does not talk about the books or stories he/she has read

Read and discuss books together as a family

Does not like to go to the library or the book store

Arrange to take your son or daughter to the library or a bookstore on a regular basis.

Does not select books that appear appropriate for his/her age

Find out what your son’s or daughter’s interests are and help him/her find books or magazines on the topic

Does not read newspapers or magazines

Provide newspaper and magazines in the home

Does not use the computer for purposes other than games

Place the computer in the main family area rather than in your son’s or daughter’s room.

Does not bring his/her textbooks home from school

Check with teachers about homework assignments

Does not read his textbooks or do homework

Ask him/her about strategies to help with reading a difficult assignment.

Does not complete homework assignments

Establish a good place for homework and set rules for good homework habits. *Go over the homework with your student and have them explain what the assignment is and what any readings may be in order that they understand the material.