Resources for Raising Good ReadersEarly childhood literacy begins at a very young age. Most children learn to hold a book upright, track words from left to right, and begin to distinguish between graphemes (letters of the alphabet) and their corresponding phonemes (letter sounds) before they ever start school. This is why reading to children from birth is so important. It helps them to develop these skills and also to develop their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.
Get Ready to Read is a great website full of resources for helping preschool aged children develop early literacy skills. The U.S. Department of Education also has great resources for parents, including a booklet called "Helping Your Child Become a Reader". |
Early reading skills are divided into two categories: fluency and reading comprehension. Reading instruction in grades K-2 typically focus on helping children develop skills in these two areas. Older children continue to develop reading comprehension skills in grades 3-12, developing progressively more sophisticated ability to analyze and interpret textual meaning.
Reading Fluency |
Fluency refers to a reader's ability to figure out or "decode" the words in a text. Use the strategies below to help practice and develop fluency skills.
Beginning Strategies
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Reading Comprehension |
Reading comprehension refers to a reader's ability to make sense and meaning out of what has been read. Use the strategies below to help practice and develop reading comprehension skills.
Beginning Strategies
Advanced Strategies
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More Resources
Get Ready to Read - Early Literacy Strategies for Preschool Aged Children.
Purdue Online Writing Lab, works cited page - useful to help children learn how to cite various sources in their writing.
Purdue Online Writing Lab, works cited page - useful to help children learn how to cite various sources in their writing.
References
White, Connie L. Associate Professor, Elementary Education, California State University Northridge. 2015.
Tompkins, Gail E. Literacy for the 21st Century: A Balanced Approach. 6th ed. Pearson Education, 2013. E-book.
Tompkins, Gail E. Literacy for the 21st Century: A Balanced Approach. 6th ed. Pearson Education, 2013. E-book.