Reading Beyond Her 'Reading Book'

As your child returns to school, she is likely to be given a 'reading book', and for many children, this is quite enough. However, if the book is at a lower level than her age or ability, it is likely to be dispiriting for her. Children notice when their classmates are being allowed 'free readers', while they are still stuck on the 'reading scheme'. Yes, it is important that she reads her 'reading book' and that she practises reading the words on the page, but reading is about so much more than just reading the words on the page. So, encourage her by letting her read a book at her age and ability level, alongside her reading book. This book could be one that you read together (seesawing between your reading to her and her reading to you); a talking book; or a book specially adapted to be read by children with dyslexia. Check out the Barrington Stoke books at: Dyslexia-Friendly & Super-Readable Books - Barrington Stoke . Her reading book will help her reading to become more automatic and less effortful, while the higher level book will help her to develop her comprehension of text. Children with dyslexia often comprehend text more deeply than neurotypical children, and it will be important for your child to recognise this strength in herself. As with so many things, feeling confident in one's ability to progress is half the battle.