Paired Reading
supplied by The Leys Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) Base
Paired reading is a well-proven, simple method of promoting reading skills in a stress-free way. It is a very
useful technique for building sight vocabulary.
There are many variations on the model outlined below.
- Help your child choose a suitable
book.
- Sit side by side in a quiet comfortable
place
- Put aside a short time each day
to suit yourself and your child
- Look at the book together, discuss
the content, the pictures, and what you think may happen.
- Read a short section to your child,
whilst running your finger under the print, so that he is actually looking
at each word as he hears it.
- Now read the same passage with
your child matching your speed to his.
- When the child wants to read a
bit alone he may make a non-verbal signal, e.g. a tap on the book.
- The child ten reads on alone until
he hesitates or makes a mistake.
- It is up to you to give the correct
word. When the child has repeated it correctly reading continues together
until he indicates that he is confident to continue unaided.
- Do not use this session for sounding
out words.
- Praise frequently
- Stop occasionally to talk about
the story
- Always finish on a positive note.
What should we read?
- School reading book - regular
practice will pay dividends.
However to maintain and develop your
child's interest in reading, they also need access to books that match their
ability and interests.
Create opportunities for sharing:-
- fiction to suit their taste
- books by favourite authors
- picture and pop-up books
- older interest picture books
- interactive books
- poems and comic rhyme
- joke books
- magazines, comics or newspapers
- letters, competitions or instructions
Rule of Thumb for choosing a
book
- Choose a book.
- Open it anywhere, but not the
first page.
- Clench your fist.
- Start to read the book.
- If you find more than one word
you can't read in the next 20 words the book is too hard.
Fast fluent reading promotes understanding
and sustains interest.
Reading with your child
Before reading, prepare the book
Talk about the title.
Look at the pictures.
Ask your child what s/he thinks the book is about?
Let your child recap what has happened so far.
While reading
PAUSE
Give them time to figure out the word
for themselves
PROMPT
Encourage your child to use some of the following strategies
- Look at the picture for clues
- Look at the word, are there any
bits of the word they know?
- Reread the sentence and think
of a word that makes sense.
- Check what letter the word begins
with and what the rest of the word looks like.
PRAISE
Praise as often as possible and always if your child:-
- Uses an appropriate strategy
- Self corrects
- Reads fluently for a while
- Uses appropriate expression
PROVIDE
You know your child; sometimes the best strategy is to tell them the word straight
away.
Remember, fast fluent reading
promotes understanding and develops confidence.
Other Activities to support reading
- Rhymes, jingles, tongue twisters
and activities using rhyming words.
- Reading words in the environment.
- Snap, Lotto, Bingo & Pairs
with packs of key word cards.
- Link to board games like Snakes
& Ladders. Throw 4 on dice, has to read 4 words before having go.
- Story tapes with books.
- Films, videos and television stimulate
an interest in books.
- Computer programs such as talking
books and interactive programs that encourage your child to read.
- Kims game to help memory using:
pictures, objects, letters and words.
- Magnetic letters on fridge to
encourage casual experimentation.
- Chalk board/White board - often
less threatening than paper & pencil because mistakes can be quickly rubbed
out
- Playdough/clay - making letter
shapes with dough/clay
- Plenty of opportunity to paint
and draw and make shapes on paper.
Remember
Reading at home really
makes a difference
