As your child learns to read in first through third grade, it is still important to read to them on a daily basis.
Two great classics to read to your school age child
Children still love to be read to by a parent.The books now become more fun because there is a plot that is interesting and characters that your child can relate to.You can read books to your child that are above his reading level, but not above his level of understanding. By reading to your child and talking about what you are reading with him, you can help your child develop understanding of what he hears which will carry over to your child being better able to comprehend what he reads on his own.
One way to help your child comprehend what he hears and reads is by helping him make connections of what he reads to his own life. While you are reading, stop and say, “I remember when something like that happened to me.” “Has that ever happened to you?” Then talk about that with your child. Or you can say, “This reminds me of another book that I read.” When you stop and discuss while you are reading, this teaches your child that it is okay to stop and reflect on what you are reading. After all, that is what we want our children to learn: that reading makes us think and when we stop and think, what we read becomes more a part of our lives. We as adults do this all the time, but do not always realize that we are doing it. Our children need to know that that is okay to do too.
Another way to help your child stay interested in what is being read and therefore, comprehend better is to stop and make predictions while you are reading. Reading a mystery or adventure book is a good way to teach this skill to your child and have lots of fun too!
My hope for you would be that you and your children would enjoy reading together and that by reading together you will make memories for your child and create a life long reader and learner in the process.