Even older students benefit from reading aloud occasionally. Have your child read a paragraph, page, or short section to you. This builds fluency, pacing, and expression. It also allows you to discuss vocabulary, clarify meaning, and talk about the author’s message together.

After reading, have your child write or say a five-sentence summary. This helps them focus on key ideas and determine what’s most important.

Attend author events, library programs, or book clubs when possible. Encourage your child to explore different genres and topics that match their interests. Conversations about books, at dinner or in the car, help show that reading is valuable and meaningful beyond school.

Ask your child to answer a question about the text and then find a sentence or detail that proves their answer. This builds critical thinking and prepares them for classroom expectations.

Choose 3 challenging words from the text. Look at prefixes, suffixes, or roots to figure out meaning, then use the words in conversation throughout the week.

Have your child keep a simple reading journal. They can write about a favorite part, a connection they made, or a question they still have. Reflection strengthens comprehension.

Reading is meant to be an enjoyable experience. Encourage students to read what they like, if they aren’t enjoying a book they chose, they shouldn’t feel compelled to finish it.

Encourage reading a balance of fiction, nonfiction, biographies, news articles, and historical texts. Exposure to different genres builds vocabulary, knowledge, and reading stamina.

Encourage your child to explore stories in different ways! Listening to an audiobook or following along in print can make reading exciting and help build comprehension. Mixing formats keeps reading fresh and supports different learning styles.

Make reading a shared adventure by enjoying a chapter book together as a family. Reading a few pages before bedtime, discussing the story, or predicting what happens next helps strengthen reading skills and creates special family moments.

Continue to encourage and recognize your child’s effort and progress. Reading at this level requires stamina and deeper thinking. Celebrate thoughtful responses, improved fluency, and their willingness to tackle challenging texts. Your support and encouragement make a big difference.

Choose one new word each day from their reading. Talk about its meaning, use it in conversation, and challenge family members to use it throughout the day.

When your child encounters a challenging word, break it into prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Discuss how the parts help determine meaning.

Keep a small notebook for new words. Include the definition (in their own words), a sentence, and maybe even a quick sketch to represent the meaning.

Pick a common word (like big or said) and brainstorm stronger or more specific alternatives. This builds precision in both reading and writing.

After reading a paragraph, ask: “What do you think this word means? What clues helped you figure it out?” This builds independence and critical thinking.

Whenever your child comes across a new or tricky word, they write it down and add it to the jar. Pick a few words to explore and discuss together at dinner, talk about meanings, use them in sentences, and watch everyone’s vocabulary grow.

Read for free with the Libby app! Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more for free from your local library with Libby, the library reading app.

Your local county library is one of the best free resources available to families! Regular library visits help children build a love of reading, explore new interests, and discover books they may not find at school.

A two-time Emmy-nominated program of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Storyline Online features actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading worldwide.