Teaching Young Readers at School and at Home

Learning to read is a large and difficult task, butand students need to find good books at the
children can learn the skill quicker when properlyappropriate reading level. After all, when the story is
guided by caring teachers and parents. There aretoo difficult for children to read, it is easy for them
several components of guided reading. It is usuallyto get confused and frustrated. They will also lose
taught in a small group of three to six students andsight of the plot which makes reading more boring
the teacher provides an introduction to the material,for beginners.
reading strategies and assistance when the childrenGuided reading is primarily used by teachers, but
need it. After everyone has read through thethere are ways that parents can encourage children
material, the teacher also tries to elicit a responseto develop their reading skills at home as well. For
from the students by asking questions about theexample, taking the time to read bedtime stories or
text or starting a discussion.and a couple small books during the day can make
In addition to providing the one-on-one attention thatbooks more attractive to your child. Obviously,
students need as they learn to read, guided readingbuilding a family library will make it easier for your
creates a comfortable team environment for learningchildren to access those books. If you can't afford to
and teaching. The whole process also teaches childrenstock a couple book shelves, libraries are still a great
how to approach an unfamiliar text, get throughplace to find the books your children love. It might
difficult sections and review the material at the end.not be as fast as finding literature online, but children
This is a valuable skill in and of itself because they willappreciate holding concrete objects and looking at
need to learn how to select reading material andthe colorful pictures in lower-level books.
draw lessons out of what they read in the future.Reading is a skill that children will use for the rest of
Praise is an important part of guided reading becausetheir lives. It will impact their education, their
it balances out the correction and feedback thatopportunities and the enjoyment they find in
students receive. Being recognized and praised forliterature. That is why the learning process is worth all
their achievements also builds confidence and makesthe time and resources teachers and parents can
reading an enjoyable experience.afford to provide.
Before guided reading even begins, teachers, parents