1. Helping Your Child Learn to Read
Image from Aldridge Duff Literacy Development and Disability Services.
Anne, Pam, Lauren and Julie

2. “Reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading. Reading aloud, with children participating actively, helps children learn new words, learn more about the world, learn about written language, and to see the connection between words that are spoken and words that are written.”
(A child becomes a reader, National Institute of Reading, 2006)

3. Model Reading

4. Talk to your Child’s Teacher
Your child’s teacher can provide you with advice on:
Your child’s reading level
Books and authors your child may enjoy
Specific reading strategies you should be concentrating on
Helping your child learn to read-A parent’s guide. Ontario Ministry of Education

5. Image from http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/g/girl.asp

6. Find a Good Time
Photo Getty, The Telegraph, July 1st, 2009
Dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to read to your child

7. Reading at Bedtime
abc 123, a ministry of Ontario website, offers this great video podcast that models how to read to children at bedtime. It is available in several languages. Just click and watch.
Click here

8. Choose a Comfortable Spot
Dad, Me and My Children Storybook
Choose the right spot and a good time for both of you so that it can be enjoyable

9. Choose the right book Let your child pick a book
Pick a page in the middle of the book and have the child read a sentence to make sure your child feels comfortable with the level of the book
Let your child read books over and over again but also ensure your child is exposed to new books to increase his/her vocabulary bank
Estela Kennen, Strategies for Struggling Readers, Helping Children Read. October, Suite 101 Insightful Writers, Informed Readers
(March 7th, 2011)

10. Just Right Books
CHOOSING “JUST RIGHT” BOOKS
How do you know it is a “just right” book?
Seems custom made for your child
Relates to your child’s interests
Your child can read and figure out almost all the words
Your child can confidently understand the text with minimal assistance
Your child can read fairly smoothly
Why is it important to help your child learn how to choose “just right” books?
Comprehending and enjoying the texts they are reading is critical for a child’s reading success.
Research has shown that if a child reads a steady of books that are too hard his/her reading actually gets worse.
While reading lots of easy books is important for building confidence and fluency as well as focusing on meaning, once children are competent readers reading only easy books is not enough for continued growth.
“Just right” books encourage children to stretch a little bit so they have the opportunity to apply previously learned strategies and become familiar with new vocabulary, genre, and writing styles.
Sources: Routman, Regie Reading Essentials. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Hoyt, Linda Snapshots. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

11. Pause, Prompt, Praise (PPP)
a. Pause: If your child stops at a difficult word, then pause briefly. Wait for a few moments
(count to five, silently and slowly) to give your child the opportunity to figure out the word.
b. Prompt: If your child cannot read the word or does not read it correctly, ask him or her to
"Try again" or ask "What word would make sense?" or say "Look at the picture". If your child still
cannot read the word correctly after two different prompts, say the word and ask him or her to
repeat it. Continue with the reading.
c. Praise: When your child reads the difficult word correctly, praise him or her for reading the word
without help
Helping Your Child Learn to Read: A Parent Tip Sheet, E-Workshop TV Ontario
Assessment: Running Records © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 200

12. Strategies Does it make sense Look at the pictures Look for chunks
Think about the story
Does the word look like another one I know. Eg.
Look and cook
Proteacher Community, archives Chunking vs Sounding out
Teaching a Child to Read 84,
Adapted from: Teaching a Child to Read 84,

13. Where to get books and/or experience literacy learning together
Talk to your child’s teacher
Visit the public library for read alouds, literacy activities and to choose books
Visit Early Learning Centres
Plan an outing to Chapter’s/Indigo to look, share and possibly purchase books
Watch for scholastic sales, visit Miko warehouses, go to garage sales
Encourage books as gifts to give and to receive

14. Picture Walk and Thinking about the Story
Image found at
Look at the pictures of the book to see what it may be about. You may even want to read the book and discuss any words or situations that may be new to your child and then encourage your child to try and read it.

15. Video
The Four Helps is a DVD developed by two teachers from Australia to help parents read to their children at home. Check it out,

16. When Your Child is “stuck”
What word would make sense when I look at the picture?
Help your child break down the word into chunks. For example: think /th/ /ink/
Think of a word that I know that look the same. For example: look and cook
Image from

17. Don’t let it get to this

18. Use a Kitchen Timer
Set it for, maybe, 10 minutes and…

19. Increase incrementally
Use the timer to increase your child’s reading time by a minute or two
you are slowly building your child’s reading stamina

20. Make it Fun
Depending on the reading level of your child, alternate reading a sentence or a paragraph that way you can keep the story interesting

21. Read Aloud to Your Child Regularly
“Reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading. Reading aloud, with children participating actively, helps children learn new words, learn more about the world, learn about written language, and to see the connection between words that are spoken and words that are written.”
(A Child Becomes a Reader, National Institute of Reading, 2006)

22. Read Aloud Strategies for Parents
How to Read Aloud - Reading to Your Child
Choose a book that you and your child will enjoy together. Frequently, your child may want to choose it.
It is a good idea to start with books that have predictable language patterns that your child can pick up and repeat easily.
READ for a short time DAILY. Make it a habit.
Hold the book so that you both can see the print.
Before you start, read the title, look at the cover, and wonder together what the story will be about.
Point to each word, or slide your finger under the text as you read.

23. Read Aloud Strategies for Parents continued
Spend lots of time talking about the book with your child. Encourage your child to participate.
Stop when your child indicates that he or she has had enough.
Read and reread your child’s favourites.
Relax and enjoy the time together.
Resource: Trehearne, Miriam. (2000) A Workshop for Parents of Emerging Readers

24. Technology http://kidsspace.torontopubliclibrary.ca
This site has excellent read along books for all levels,
including NEW Graphic Novels

25. This site even has a parents section,

26. Technology Leap Frog Learning Software
(Can be found in toy sections in major department stores, educational stores or online)

27. Technology Reader Rabbit Programs and Software
(Can be found in toy sections in major department stores, educational stores or online)

28. Educational Television Shows
Reading together is by far the best way to help your struggling reader to improve. Television should never be the first choice for literacy learning however if your child is going to watch television why not encourage educational programming?
Here are some suggestions:

29. Educational Television Shows
Between the Lions (PBS)
Super Why (PBS)
Word World (PBS)
Pinky Dinky Doo (PBS)
Sesame Street (PBS)
Wilbur (Discovery)
Blue's Room (PBS)
The Electric Company (PBS)
Martha Speaks (PBS)
Reading Rainbow (PBS – reruns only)
(adapted from Carey Bryson’s About.com guide)
* a list of these can be found in your parent package*

30. Resources http://www.readingrockets.org
Helping your Child Learn to Read-A Parent’s Guide. Ontario Ministry of Education

31. Resources and reference books that will help guide you as a parent in experiencing literacy development with your child
Blishen, Edward. A Treasury of Stories for Four Year Olds. Kingfisher, 1994
Burns, M. Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children’s Reading Success. National Academy, 1998.
Butler, D. and M. Clay. Reading Begins at Home: Preparing Children for Reading for Reading Before They Go to School, 2nd ed. Reed Elsevier, 1991
Calmenson, Stephanie. Good for You! Toddler Rhymes for Toddler Times. Harper Collins Publisher, 2001
Gunning, T. Best Books for Beginning Readers. Allyn and Bacon, 1997.
Hydrick, Janie. Parent’s Guide to Literacy: Pre K through Grade 5. National Council of Teachers of English, 1996.
Mayo, Margaret. Wiggle Fun: Stories and Rhymes for the Very Young. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2002.
Trelease, J. The Read-Aloud Handbook, 5th ed. Viking-Penguin, 2001.