Reading is the quest for meaning.
The illustrations are very important.
Before reading, examine the cover, the illustrations and the title. Discuss with your child what they think the book will be about.
Look through the illustrations and attempt to predict the text. Parents can scan the text and direct discussion accordingly using the language in the book.
Unfamiliar words can be clarified whilst scanning the illustration.
Reading individual words is not as important as understanding the overall meaning of the text.
Read the text to your child and then let them have a go. It may be useful to keep each book for a few days to re-read whilst also introducing a new book.
The following are some strategies for your child to try if he or she gets stuck on a word:
- Check the pictures
- Look at the initial sound and 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.
- Use punctuation for clues.
- Go back and read again.
- Ask for help with the word.
Above all reading should be fun.
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, atlases, and dictionaries.
- Read greeting cards, letters, and e-mail messages to and from relatives and friends.