When we speak, fluency is the quality of saying words, phrases and sentences smoothly. Our voices go up at the end of a question and down when our statements end with a period. We begin with the first word of our sentence and glide through so our listener can fully engage in what we are saying rather than how we are saying it. Reading fluency is very much like fluency in speaking. Fluency is the ability to read text accurately and quickly. Fluent readers can recognize words automatically and understand their meaning at the same time. To help develop fluency, children should be encouraged to read aloud to you at home – and even re-read the same story several times. As a parent, you would be helping your child immensely if you read to him or her and have your child follow along as you read.

FAQ: When is the best time to read with my child?

In the real world of after school activities, sports, clubs and playdates, finding a relaxing, quiet time to read to your child can be tough. Perhaps the nicest time for everyone is each night for 10-15 minutes before bed. Think about it. Your child has had a long day (and so have you!). School is over, after school activities are done for the day,  and everyone has eaten dinner. Snuggle in your child’s bed for a close time – just the two of you. Choose a short, easy to read story. It’s a great time to end the day on a quieter, relaxed note.

FAQ: My child says he ‘hates’ to read. How can I turn around his attitude?

Children who say they ‘hate’ to read are typically kids who struggle with reading. Many of us take reading for granted because it is easy.  For a child who’s having difficulty learning to read, there can be three major ‘pitfall’ areas:

1) Decoding (knowing what letters make what sounds, then how the sounds combine to make words) 

2) Comprehension (understanding what all the words mean) 

3) Fluency (how smoothly the child can read – both aloud and to himself). So for the child who has declared that he ‘hates’ to read, have him start  off simply by listening to you read. Choose a book in which you’re sure he can read some of the words. Or name the pictures. Or tell you the color of something in one of the pictures. Let your child select a favorite book from early childhood, when reading was fun.

The key is to read to and with your child consistently. Every night for  10-15 minutes can usually be worked into the schedule. The more expression you use in your voice, the more your child will come to understand that being able to read fluently can take him or her to wonderful real or imagined places!