The secrets to reading fluently.

The building blocks that enable a child to read fluently start long before they pick up their first book.

Here are the steps you can take that will allow your child to read fluently.

1. Use complex language when talking to your children from an early age. (for example Jade can you please use the  whisk  to sweep the counter) bet you've not heard  that word before..:) 70% of our communication is non-verbal, don't dumb it down, thus increasing their vocabulary.

2. Make sight word flash cards from an early age. CVC words (consonant vowel consonant) FOG DIG CAT HIT

3. Make vocabulary matching games and tailor them to the ability of the child.

4. Give your child some stick on notes and ask them to label everything in the house for you.

5. As parents/ upcoming parents, you should learn all the letter sounds and their  names.

6.  Understand the 44 phonemes and teach them to your children. Ch ck igh ai Th ( the full list can be found below).

7. Read together with your child, allowing them to decode the words using the knowledge you have instilled. fingers can assist with tracking at first and then can be removed.

8. Read for pleasure. Explain the purpose of reading is to increase our knowledge and understanding.

9.Allow your child to have their own bookshelf.

10. Read yourself. Take time out to read as a family. Model how relaxing it can be to be immersed in literature.

Here is the list of the 44 phonemes all children need to know before they can read fluently

What are your thoughts on this? Have you tried out any of this at home? please share with us how it turned out.