Fluency affects the comprehension of every reader. Only when it is optimal can the reader benefit from the text. Otherwise, what they see are random shapes on the page. This blog will share 5 ways to help struggling readers foster reading fluency. Sugsar encourages such methods to bring holistic development for students at our English coaching centre in Chennai.
Reading Fluency – A clear explanation
It is generally misunderstood that fluency measures reading speed. However, a child can read fast even though they have low fluency. So, what is fluency, and can you understand it better?
The reading fluency equation has many variables that work together. It consists of speed, precision, and proper expression.
Problems of not having enough fluency
Why is reading fluency so crucial for a child? Will there be any difference if they read speed but without expressing words? So, if the child does not have enough fluency, they may not understand the meaning of the text. It will later impact their interest in reading. In addition, the child will not infer the accurate meaning of the text. Hence, fluency is very critical in overall reading development.
How to improve reading fluency?
1 – Set an example of fluent reading
Showing works better than telling. So, read out a few paragraphs from a book and let them know how to be fluent. When they listen and see how it is done, they will try to imitate the example while they read. Make the reading sessions engaging by choosing various texts such as poems, speech excerpts, and fairy tales. The variations in the style will keep them from boredom.
2 – Learning new words
Unfamiliar words impact fluency. It is a great practice to introduce the words to the children first before starting the text. If they fail to interpret the word correctly, it can affect their confidence and reading comprehension. Hence, teach them how to pronounce the word and its meaning beforehand by cue cards. This step is a part of memory improvement techniques as well. It helps them understand the meaning of the overall text.
3 – Read aloud sessions
Those who lack reading fluency have low confidence while reading aloud. There would be disharmony in the rhythm and flow. It is better to make the children concentrate on accuracy than fast reading. When the reader gets close to the real meaning, the reading comprehension improves.
4 – Phrased reading
Reading fluency is perfect only when the children read phrases instead of single words. Hence, pick a good piece of poem or story and teach them how to cluster them into coherent sentences. A kids brain trainer generally writes the phrases on a card and makes the children recite the block of phrases rather than a word. It is because the meaning is usually lost during word-by-word reading.
5 – Repeated Reading
As the adage goes, ‘Practice makes a man perfect,’ repeated reading helps the child to get familiar with a wide range of words. In addition, they will start noticing things they missed during the initial reading sessions. Hence, using spaced repetition strategy would be very helpful in ingraining the words in their memory.
Increase your child’s reading comprehension with Sugsar! We use scientifically proven methods to improve reading and develop overall cognitive abilities.
