Essential Tips for Choosing the Best Books for Your Child’s Reading Journey
Teach, Read, Succeed: Ask the Expert
Are you wondering how you can find engaging and age-appropriate books for your young reader? These effective strategies will help you choose books your child can read independently, no matter their age!
5 Words Rule
Ask your child to open to any page of a book, and read the page. As they read, your child should count how many words they do not know, or are not able to read without help. If they get to 5 words, this book is probably too challenging for your child to read independently right now.
Read the First Chapter
Spend some time reading the first chapter of a book with your child. As you read together, notice if they are able to read most of the words on their own. Ask questions about what is happening in the book and have your child explain the events to you. This will allow you to determine if your child should be able to read the book independently or if it is a book that they would benefit from reading with you.
How can I get several books at the same level?
Choose a series! Often if a child can read one book in a series independently, they can read the other books in the series. A couple of series that come to mind are Junie B. Jones, and The Magic Treehouse books.
Interest leads to Engagement
Consider what your child is interested in. Sometimes, kids are interested in topics that might be too difficult for them to read books about independently. Those books can be appropriate to read with your child, and can help your child build their vocabulary and comprehension, in addition to a love of reading.
Easy & Challenging
Encouraging your child to choose different types of books, including ones that are easy along with ones that are more challenging, will help your child to build their vocabulary, comprehension, and their confidence.
Why use these strategies?
Sometimes the age levels, grade levels, and other ways of measuring how challenging or how easy a book is doesn’t match what is appropriate for your child. For instance, your child may be ready for more challenging books, or they may be building their confidence with books that are below their supposed level. No matter what your child’s reading ability is, it is important to provide them with books that they can read independently to help them be interested in reading and to build their confidence in themselves as readers.
Are you looking to empower your child with strong reading skills, but aren’t sure where to start? Check out our Building Blocks for Confident Readers here!
Brittany is an educator and doula, fueled by her passions in teaching and supporting families. She supports families whether from birth through childhood.
Contact Courageous Moments to learn how she can help you and your child on your parenting and reading journey.