Selecting+a+Book+for+Your+Child

How Do You Select a Book for Your Child? Book companies provide books in series that are written by levels of BEGINNING TO READ (emergent readers), BEGINNING TO READ ALONE, READING ALONE, PROFEICEINT READERS, and CHAPTER BOOK READERS. D&K Publishing and Random House have books on levels of difficulty and a simple explanation of each level is listed on the back of each book. Book orders that are sent home from your child’s teacher often provide you with a “reading level”. I suggest [|www.stepintoreading.com]and [|www.dk.com] for websites to assist you in determining books appropriate for your child’s reading ability.  The FIVE FINGER RULE can also assist you in book selection. Every time your child reads a word incorrectly, hold up a finger. If your child reaches five fingers on the same page, then a general rule would be that the book is too difficult to be on your child’s independent reading level.

Can your child choose a book above his or her reading level? Most certainly, but you, as a parent, most be willing to devote the time and PATIENCE to read the book to your child. If you for see the experience to be frustrating or unpleasant for you and/or your child, try to guide your child toward a less complicated, more rewarding level of reading.

Most importantly, let your child see you reading for enjoyment every day and share that enjoyment with your child. Being a role model for reading is a very healthy component to raising a reader.

Todd Cole