Reading fluency is more than just reading quickly—it’s about reading accurately, smoothly, and with expression, so your child can understand and enjoy what they read. It’s the critical bridge that connects decoding to comprehension, making reading a rewarding experience rather than a frustrating chore.
But what if your child’s reading sounds choppy, robotic, or painfully slow? Maybe they’re stumbling over words or reading in a flat, monotone voice. You’re not alone—fluency issues are incredibly common among struggling readers, especially those with dyslexia. And the good news is, fluency is a skill that can be built with practice and the right strategies.
Below, you’ll find five powerful, research-backed techniques to help your child develop their fluency skills—and enjoy the process along the way!
1. Choose the Right Books for Fluency Practice
Reading fluency improves when children practice with books that are “just right”—not too hard and not too easy. When a child reads material that’s too challenging, they spend so much energy decoding words that fluency and comprehension suffer.
How to Select “Just-Right” Books
- Look for books with familiar vocabulary and manageable sentence structures. Your child should be able to read at least 95% of the words accurately.
- Ask your child’s teacher for recommended texts or fluency passages to practice at home. Most teachers will be thrilled to help you support your child’s progress.
- Consider using an at-home fluency program like One Minute Reader. It offers affordable, structured fluency practice with leveled passages tailored to your child’s current skill level.
- Re-reading old favorites can be especially effective for fluency practice. Familiar books give your child the chance to focus on phrasing and expression rather than just decoding.
2. Explicitly Teach Phrasing and Expression
Fluency is more than reading words accurately; it’s about making your voice sound like natural speech. Children often overlook punctuation or rush through sentences, which impacts their understanding.
Teaching Phrasing and Expression
Teach your child that:
- Punctuation matters! It’s like a roadmap for the voice.
- Periods = Stop.
- Commas = Pause briefly.
- Question marks = Make your voice go up at the end.
- Quotation marks = Sound like someone is talking.
- Sentences that begin with words like “when,” “where,” “what,” “who,” “why,” “how,” or “did” often end in a question mark. Help your child notice these clues.
Pro-Tip:
If your child struggles with punctuation, highlight periods and commas in photocopied passages or books you own. This simple visual aid makes a world of difference.
3. Paired or “Buddy” Reading
There’s real magic in reading together. Taking turns reading aloud offers your child a model of what good, fluent reading sounds like.
How to Do Buddy Reading
- You go first. Read a page or passage aloud, modeling smooth, expressive reading.
- Your child goes next. Ask them to re-read the same page, encouraging them to match your expression and smoothness.
- Spend just 10 minutes a day doing this, and you’ll hear their fluency improve!
4. Reread Favorite Books
Repetition builds mastery! Rereading familiar books is one of the most powerful ways to build fluency.
Why Rereading Works
- Builds speed and accuracy. With each repetition, your child recognizes words more quickly.
- Boosts confidence. Familiar books feel manageable and enjoyable.
- Improves expression. When a child knows a text well, they can focus on making their voice sound natural.
5. Record It
Kids love hearing themselves read, and it’s a great way to help them monitor their own progress. Try this simple, motivating activity:
How to Use Recording for Fluency
- Record your child reading a passage for the first time.
- Have them practice reading that passage several times over a few days.
- Record them reading it again and let them hear the difference!
Hearing their improvement is a fantastic confidence booster. Plus, sharing their recordings with family and friends can be a fun motivator!
The Power of Practice & Encouragement
If your child feels anxious about reading, start small. Just 3-5 minutes once or twice a day can be enough to build momentum.
- Use the Sandwich Method: Begin with something your child finds easy and enjoyable, then introduce the fluency practice, and end with another fun or easy activity. This approach helps keep reading from feeling like a chore.
Would you like even more strategies for helping your child become a confident, fluent reader? Schedule your free consultation with me today! I offer expert intervention and parent coaching to help you support your child’s reading journey every step of the way.
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