How to help kids become more fluent readers (2024)

FAQs

How to increase a child's reading fluency? ›

Children become fluent readers by reading and listening to fluent readers. Children need to reread familiar books and read new books leveled to their abilities. Just as important, children need to listen to books read aloud with natural intonation, rhythm, and pacing.

Reading fluency occurs when a child has developed the knowledge and skills to recognize words automatically, accurately and quickly. This usually develops at ages 7 to 8. For a child who can read fluently, their brain is able to perform multiple tasks at the same time.

Underlying Causes of Difficulty With Reading Automaticity and Fluency. Possible root cause(s) of problems with automaticity and fluency include: Problems with phonological skills, and/or phonics and decoding, leading to inefficient and labored decoding and difficulty developing automatic recognition of words.

The best strategy for developing reading fluency is to provide your students with many opportunities to read the same passage orally several times.

This allows teachers and families to observe the three important ingredients of reading fluency: rate, accuracy, and expression. [R]eading words correctly and quickly doesn't always mean children have understood what they've read.

The most commonly used strategy to improve reading fluency is the reading and rereading of familiar texts. Opportunities to read aloud, with guidance from teachers, peers or parents, are also associated with the development of fluent reading.

Experts say that most children learn to read by age 6 or 7, meaning first or second grade, and that some learn much earlier. However, a head start on reading doesn't guarantee a child will stay ahead as they progress through school. Abilities tend to even out in later grades.

Fluent readers must be able to use phonics skills to decode words in order to build an understanding of words, sentences, paragraphs, and eventually an entire book.

How do I know if my child is an advanced reader? ›

Read aloud to your child to provide an example of how fluent reading sounds. Give your child books with predictable vocabulary. and clear rhythmic patterns so the child can “hear” the sound of fluent reading as he or she reads the book aloud. Use books on tapes; have the child follow along in the print copy.

Children may struggle with reading for a variety of reasons, including limited experience with books, speech and hearing problems, and poor phonemic awareness.

Students with ADHD are frequently impaired in reading fluency (Ghelani et al., 2004; Jacobson et al., 2011; Jacobson, Ryan, Denckla, Mostofsky, & Mahone, 2013) and comprehension (Ghelani et al., 2004; Martinussen & Mackenzie, 2015; Miller et al., 2013; Stern & Shalev, 2013; Willcutt et al., 2007).

Practice, practice, practice! Consistency is still key to improving reading levels. “One of the biggest factors in improving reading is to get kids to read,” says Williams. “The biggest determining factor in keeping kids interested in reading is choosing books they like even when a book is challenging.

Reading Eggs helps children improve their reading fluency with fun instructional online activities and e‑books. The programme builds fast and effortless word recognition in a highly motivating way with interactive animations, fun songs and exciting rewards!