You are reading with your child and they get stuck on a word. What do you do?
The behaviors and responses we encourage can influence inner dialogue as your child embarks on the challenge of learning to read.
It is important to use language that encourages growth and acknowledges that learning to read is a process. Learning to read is a perfect opportunity to model to your child that they are able to overcome challenges by trying things in different ways. Talk to your child’s teacher about the reading strategies they have taught and practiced. Your child should have a toolbelt of strategies that they are able to lean on when they get stuck. It may be a good idea to ask your child’s teacher for a handout explaining the strategies so you can help them learn them and suggest strategies.
When reading at home with your child, it is good to have your child read books that they can be successful at reading independently. These may be books provided or recommended by your child's teacher. Before you read the book, discuss the pictures and make predictions about what might happen in the book. Once you start reading if your child is struggling with multiple errors that are impeding flow you can set that book aside for later or read it to them. Be flexible and adaptive and let your child know that it will be a book to work up to.
When your child makes an error or gets stuck on a word. You can use the Pause, Prompt, Praise model to help them through it. This model developed in New Zealand (PPP; Mcnaughton et al. 1987) allows the child time and help to figure out words they are stuck on.
Pause - Allow your child 5 seconds of silence after their attempt to try to figure it out on their own.
Prompt- prompt your child with a strategy that you think may help. Try to vary the strategies so that your child gets to practice more than one.
Praise- Go beyond good job, and specifically acknowledge the strategy they used and their effort.
Always remember to keep reading fun and interesting, don’t ever stop reading aloud to your child, and celebrate the journey. Discuss any challenges your child is having with your child’s teacher.
