Learning To Read


Kindergarten through third grade children learn to read. From third grade on they read to learn. In kindergarten and first grade, students typically are taught how to read by using letter recognition, phonics and blending. These skills are called "decoding." In second and third grade, reading instruction focuses on accuracy, fluency and comprehension. 

Accuracy

Accuracy refers to the child's ability to read words without errors. A sudent who reads with accuracy generally demonstrates these skills:

  • Sounds out words
  • Says the beginning sound of the word
  • Breaks the word into parts
  • Looks for familiar parts of the word
  • Blends the letter sounds
  • Skips the word and comes back to it
  • Asks someone for assistance, when needed

Fluency

A child reads fluently when her reading voice sounds like talking. Fluency is a combination of speed and accuracy. It comes with an increasing ability to identify words automatically. Fluency improves with practice and is measured by errors made during a timed reading session.

Comprehension

A child reads with comprehension when he can understand the intended meaning of the text. Comprehension is one of the primary indicators of reading ability by second grade. Students skills involve the following:

  • Use of memory and vocabulary
  • Knowledge about a topic
  • Knowledge of how sentences are put together
  • Knowledge of how to extract meaning from a sentence
  • Use of decoding skills (see bullet under "Accuracy")

Once your child learns to read, don't drop your read-aloud routine at home. The reality is that until at least middle school, reading aloud is important. That's when your child's reading level begins to match his vocabulary level - but too many families have stopped reading aloud by this time.

Enjoy listening to your child  read to you every day! Afterwards, your child may like to hear you read. Share books at your child's listening level, which is typically two years higher than her reading level. Model what good reading  sounds like, and expand your child's vocabulary and knowledge. Enjoy discussing more complicated stories and ideas. You can read about topics your child may not choose to read on his own. Reading with your child shouldn't stop just because your child can read on her own...ideally, reading together will continue to be an enjoyable and valuable part of your relationship.