Archived: Reading Well Together -- Home for the Holidays ... Reading Together

Reading Well Together

	As you read together, stop and ask your children about the pictures in the book and what is happening in the story.
	Read from a variety of children's books, including fairy tales, songs, poetry and information books.
	When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help your children learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the words they say are the words they see.
	Read your children's favorite books with them over and over again to build understanding and recognition.
	Read stories with your children that feature rhyming worlds and lines that repeat. Invite your children to join in on these parts. Point word by word as they read along with you.
	Discuss new words. For example, "This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?"
	Listen and watch how your children read and understand written materials. If your children can't listen to a story, avoid printed words or refuse to try sounding out words, you should get extra reading help from your school.
If you would like some additional guidance on helping your children to learn to read well, you may wish to refer to one of the Department of Education publications listed below. These recent publications feature the latest scientific evidence on methods that work to teach children to read well: Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn to Read, A Parent Guide, Preschool Through Grade 3. Also available in Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read, Kindergarten Through Grade 3, September 2001. Also available in For other resources on reading try the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education's Reading Resources. This page last modified—April 9, 2002 (edg).

Technical questions about the Web site: webmaster@ed.gov
Other inquiries/comments: customerservice@inet.ed.gov

A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n