5 activities to help your child improve their reading fluency

Echo reading is a great way to help your child improve their reading fluency. Here’s how it works:

• Pick a book
• Read the first sentence aloud
• Ask your child to read it back to you
• Repeat the exercise for each sentence

This easy activity is both fun and beneficial for young readers. Simply do the following:

• Pick a book
• Read a sentence aloud in unison with your child
• Read the same sentence several times until your child can read it fluently
• Repeat the exercise for each sentence

If your child is having reading difficulties, this simple activity may be the perfect way to improve their fluency. Just follow these instructions:

• Choose a short text (50–200 words)
• Sit next to your child
• Read the entire text aloud
• Track the words with your finger
• Take the time to explain any words your child doesn’t know
• Ask your child to read the text aloud while tracking the words with their finger
• Repeat the exercise until your child can read the text fluently
•  

While finger tracking can be a great strategy for children with reading difficulties, it is not recommended for more advanced readers. Don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher for advice.

Pseudowords are invented words that follow the language’s spelling rules but have no meaning. To help your child become a more fluent reader, you can ask them to practise reading pseudowords, like the following:

• Zart
• Plerd
• Plastet
• Canlot
• Etc.

Because it’s always easier to learn while having fun, your child might enjoy this reading challenge. Here are the rules:

• Choose a page from a book
• Set 60 seconds on the stopwatch
• Start the countdown
• Ask your child to read the page as quickly and as accurately as possible until time runs out
• Etc.

If your child makes two mistakes or less, they can move on to the next page. Otherwise, they have to read the same page again. They can turn the page once they make no more than two mistakes.

To help your child see how much their reading improves over time, you can encourage them to keep a logbook. Every time they practise reading aloud, they can write down the following:

• How many words they don’t know in the text
• How many words they can read in 60 seconds
• How many reading mistakes they make in 60 seconds
• Etc.

Just because a child can read a text fluently doesn’t mean they fully understand it. To make sure your child understands what they’re reading, try asking them these questions: 

• Who is the main character?
• Can you explain the story to me in your own words?
• Can you picture the story in your mind?
• What do you think would happen in a sequel?
• Etc.