How Can I Help When My Child Reads Aloud?
Use the PPPP Strategy: Preview, Pause, Prompt, Praise
Preview
- Read the title. Look at the book’s illustrations. Ask, “What do you think this story is about?”
- Begin the book by “echo reading.” You point to and read the first few lines—not too fast—so your child can hear your phrasing and expression. Then your child “echos” by pointing to the same words and reading the same passage. Read like this for the first few paragraphs (or pages, if there’s only a few words on each page).
- Then let the child keep reading without your help.
- If your child stumbles or misreads, pause, count to three in your mind, and allow time for your child to solve the word or self-correct.
- Keep in mind that your child is trying to become an independent reader. To do this, he or she needs lots of chances to solve problems without your immediate help.
- If, after the pause, your child has not solved the difficulty, use the prompt, “A word tricked you. Let’s read that sentence again.”
- If your child still cannot solve the problem, provide the correct word and read to the end of the sentence.
- If your child has difficulty with five or more words on the page, this book is too hard and will probably cause frustration. Finish reading this book aloud to your child, and choose an easier book for him or her to read to you.
- If your child self-corrects or solves the difficulty, praise your child and allow him or her to continue reading.