Reading Intervention: Strategies for Parents

Reading interventions are strategies and techniques designed to provide targeted support to students who are struggling with reading skills. These interventions address specific areas of need, such as phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, comprehension strategies, and fluency.  Whether it is through extra reading practice, the use of reading materials and resources, or parent involvement, reading interventions can have a significant impact on children’s reading progress and their relationship with reading.

The reading process is a complex and many-sided journey that involves several key stages and components. It begins with letter recognition, where students learn to identify and associate letters with their corresponding sounds. This is followed by the development of phonics skills, where students learn to blend individual sounds together to form words. Vocabulary development is also important because they expand their knowledge and understanding of words.  It is important to note that reading and writing are interconnected skills. Writing compliments reading by reinforcing letter recognition, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies. Children can express their thoughts, explore their creativity, and strengthen their overall language skills.  

These interventions provide targeted support and strategies for students who may be struggling with reading or have reading disabilities. By addressing specific needs and challenges, interventions help build components of reading, such as phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, and the alphabetic principle. Through individualized attention and explicit instruction, reading interventions allow students to develop their reading skills at a pace that fits their abilities.  Whether a child requires intervention due to a reading disability or simply needs an extra boost to reach their grade level, reading interventions, with the support of parents, can make a significant difference in a child’s reading experience and growth.

Becoming a proficient reader is a gradual process that involves several key skills.  At the pre-reading stage, one of the components is phonological awareness. This milestone involves the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds. Students develop an understanding of rhyme, syllables, and individual sounds, which lays the foundation for successful reading.

As children progress to the early reading stage, they begin to develop decoding skills. Decoding is the ability to sound out words by associating letters with their corresponding sounds. This allows children to read and pronounce unfamiliar words.  Vocabulary development is another important milestone. As children are exposed to a wide range of words through conversations, read-alouds, and reading materials, their vocabulary grows. A strong vocabulary allows children to comprehend text and make sense of what they are reading.  Fluency is reading smoothly, accurately, and with expression. Fluent readers can read at a smooth pace while understanding and enjoying the text.  By understanding the developmental milestones in reading, parents can provide targeted support to their children. Engaging in activities that help phonological awareness, providing opportunities for decoding practice, building vocabulary through discussions and exposure to varied reading materials, and encouraging reading will help children progress towards becoming proficient readers.

One of the key ways in which interventions positively impact academic performance is by providing individualized attention. Students with reading difficulties often require personalized instruction to meet their unique needs. Through small-group or one-on-one sessions, interventions allow students to receive the necessary support and guidance to improve their reading skills.  When reading difficulties are identified and addressed early, students can get the necessary support to overcome these challenges. By intervening at an early stage, interventions can help students build the foundational reading skills needed for future success. This early intervention prevents students from falling behind their peers and allows them to keep up with grade-level reading expectations.

As parents, there are multiple strategies you can implement at home to support and nurture your child.  Create a positive and supportive environment where your child feels safe to take risks and make mistakes. Encourage them to embrace challenges and celebrate their efforts, rather than focusing on the outcome. Celebrate their progress and emphasize that everyone learns at their own pace.  Reading aloud together is another powerful way to build confidence. Take turns reading paragraphs or pages, allowing your child to actively participate in the reading experience. This not only boosts their confidence but also provides an opportunity for them to develop their fluency and comprehension skills.  Provide positive feedback and encouragement throughout the reading process. Acknowledge their strengths and improvements, no matter how small, and highlight their unique perspectives and interpretations of the text. This will help your child feel valued and motivated to continue their reading journey.

To enhance reading interventions at home, parents can explore Let’s Go Learn’s range of products. Let’s Go Learn offers a variety of tools and resources designed to improve reading skills in an engaging and interactive way. Here are some of the Let’s Go Learn products that can support reading interventions at home:

DORA (Diagnostic Online Reading Assessment): DORA is a comprehensive online assessment tool that evaluates a student’s reading abilities, including phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension. It provides detailed reports and recommendations for personalized instruction.

Reading Edge: Reading Edge is designed for struggling readers and English language learners. It provides targeted practice and instruction to improve phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills.

By using Let’s Go Learn’s products like DORA and Reading Edge parents can provide their children with individualized instruction and feedback to address specific reading needs. These programs offer engaging activities and assessments that can help children improve their reading skills in a structured and effective manner.

Establishing a regular time for daily reading is a good strategy to support reading interventions and promote literacy development in children. By setting aside dedicated reading time each day, parents can create a routine that prioritizes reading as an important activity in their child’s life.  Consistency is key when it comes to developing a positive attitude towards reading. When children know that there is a specific time each day dedicated to reading, they begin to associate reading with a positive experience. It becomes a habit and a regular part of their daily life, rather than a chore or something forced on them.

Having a regular reading time also allows children to practice and strengthen their literacy skills. It provides them with time to get familiar with different types of reading materials, explore different genres, and expand their vocabulary. Regular reading sessions give children the opportunity to deepen their understanding of texts, improve their comprehension skills, and find a love for books.

Developing oral language skills is important for a child’s overall literacy development. Parents can engage in activities and methods that promote oral language skills in their children.

1. Conversations and storytelling: Engage in meaningful conversations with your child to develop their vocabulary, sentence structure, and communication skills. Encourage them to share their stories and ideas with you.
2. Language games: Play interactive language games that involve verbal communication, such as charades, 20 Questions, or word association games. These games help improve listening skills, thinking abilities, and vocabulary.
3. Reading aloud: Read books aloud to your child, emphasizing pronunciation and fluency. Pause to ask questions or discuss the story, which enhances their comprehension and language abilities.
4. Word of the day: Introduce a new word each day and encourage your child to use it in a sentence. This activity enhances their vocabulary and promotes language development.
5. Singing and rhyming: Encourage your child to sing songs and recite nursery rhymes. This helps develop phonemic awareness, an essential skill for reading, as they recognize and manipulate sounds in words.
6. Role-play and storytelling: Encourage pretend play and storytelling activities where your child can use their imagination and language skills to create narratives and communicate effectively.
7. Language-rich environment: Surround your child with language-rich resources such as books, magazines, and educational toys. This exposure to words and language patterns helps in their language development.

Reading interventions are a vital part of a child’s educational journey, offering targeted strategies and support to improve their reading skills and overall literacy development. By addressing specific needs and challenges, interventions allow students to build essential components of reading, boosting their confidence and academic performance. As parents, your role is crucial in supporting these interventions, fostering a positive reading environment, and providing access to appropriate materials and resources. By understanding the developmental milestones in reading, nurturing self-esteem and confidence, and developing oral language skills, you can empower your child to become a proficient and enthusiastic reader.