Finding ‘Just Right’ Books for Your Child

Reading is fundamental and a fantastic way to encourage children to engage in their learning in a simple and pressure-free manner. But how can parents find books that are not “too hard” and not “too easy” but instead are “just right”?

Here’s some advice

When choosing a reading book for you child, it is crucial to consider both level and interest.

💙Interest: Reading should be fun! Studies prove that children learn best when they are enjoying themselves. Let your children have a say in their reading material so they learn to see reading as a fun activity and not a chore.

💙Level: One of my key goals as an educator is to support your children in becoming independent learners. Part of this process is to enable autonomy through choice and responsibility. By making choices, children become responsible for their learning. To do this, we must give children the tools to make independent choices.

Five Finger Rule

One fantastic method to enable your children to choose correctly levelled reading texts for themselves is to use the ‘Five Finger Rule’. This is a simple and easy method for children of all ages to use as a form of self-assessment.

Ask your child to choose a book they like and to open this book to any random page to read.

If your child:

📚reads every word perfectly, then this book is not going to be a challenge at all.

📚reads 1 word incorrectly, then this book is not going to sufficiently challenge,

📚reads 2 words incorrectly, this sits just on the line between a good fit and not challenging enough,

📚reads 3 words incorrectly, this books is a great fit; levelled appropriately whilst also sufficiently challenging for growth,

📚reads 4 words incorrectly, this book is now more suitable for a guided reading task with an adult rather than an independent reading book,

📚reads 5 or more words incorrectly, this book is too challenging for your child’s current level and should be read in the company of an adult.

Happy Reading!

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Lydia Scaltsas: Experienced Primary Teacher & Private Tutor

Graduated from University of Strathclyde with a 1st Class Honors in BA (Hons) Primary Education.

Registered with the General Teaching Council (GTCS)

Owner and Private Tutor at LS Tuition: lydias-tuition.co.uk Instagram: @lydias_tuition www.instagram.com/lydias_tuition Facebook: @LSTuition www.facebook.com/LSTuition