- Richland Library
- Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Third grade is a pivotal time for young readers because at this time, they switch from learning to read, to reading to learn. This is the time children build framework and establish important brain connections that will continue to grow as they read.
Reading fluency and comprehension play a key role to building a strong background knowledge. Build reading these skills by taking time to discuss books and read together. Try these tips to help make summer reading fun for your third grader.
Visit the library.
Explore books on topics that interest your child. Grab books to read together and some your child can enjoy reading independently. Reading “easier” books a great way to boost confidence and increase fluency, andCarve out regular time in your busy schedules for reading in a cozy corner of your home—or park.
Ear-Reading.
Listening to audiobooks—ear-reading—is essential to building your child’s comprehension, vocabulary, and even increases their reading fluency. Children have the ability to ear-read at much higher reading level than eye-read. Check-out audiobooks during those long summer road trips and ear-read together.
Ask Questions.
At this age, it is important for children to summarize stories or chapters in a few key sentences and make predictions on upcoming events in a story. Talk to your child about what they are reading and help them make connections between stories and their lives.
Decode Words.
When your child approaches an unfamiliar word, help them learn spelling and language patterns. Practice root words, prefixes and suffixes and use them in your conversations and in your writing. Recognizing word patterns helps children decode unfamiliar words, and discussing words helps them grow their vocabulary.
Keep a Journal.
Establish a daily writing routine. Ask children to write in a daily journal about topics that interest them—space travel, hiking in the woods, animals, or even Captain Underpants. Remind them to read over their writing and check for spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors. Encourage them to use new words they discovered when reading or in conversations.
Need help? Visit us at the Richland Library Education Studio at Main for guidance for more ideas to help support your child’s reading success.