It’s hard to watch a child struggle trying to read a book that is too difficult, especially when the kiddo is adamant about plowing through it. Whether the struggles be with decoding the words on the page, with reading fluently, or with understanding what’s being read, it’s hard to watch.
Because though for many of us reading comes naturally and without thought, for others, reading is a continual struggle. A long and laborious, difficult and painstaking process.
That’s why book choice is so important.
Muy importante.
Like really, really, really important.
Though children do need to be able to choose the books they read, if the child doesn’t choose a book that ‘fits’, it can really be downhill from there. He or she can get into a pattern of choosing books that won’t fit, making reading difficult and unpleasant.
But there are techniques and strategies that parents can employ to help guide children into choosing the ‘best fit’ books for their kids—books that match the child’s own strengths and abilities.
Nothing fancy or difficult, just a few quick reminders that your child can commit to memory that will ultimately provide him or her with skills that will make trips to the school library, media center, or book corner a whole lot more meaningful.
Here’s the skinny . . .
- How to Help Kids Choose Just Right Books: I say it loud and clear right here. . .
And if you want the bookmarks to use for your own kiddos or classroom, please help yourself.
Best Fit Bookmarks: best fit books bookmarks
best fit books bookmarks | teachmama.com
I’d appreciate a pin, link back, tweet, or shout if you do choose to use them. And if you have suggestions, I’d love to hear ’em!
(And if you choose to share them, which we hope you do, please link to this post instead of to the attachment page! Thank you!)
How do you help kids choose just right books? Let me know what has worked for you in the comments section below.
Thanks for the great tips and the cool bookmarks! Just for fun, I thought I’d tell you what my kids are reading: Cora, age 9– Ginger Pye; Caleb, age 7– Geronimo Stilton series; Colton, age 3– loving the McDuff picture books. And, your kids’ work space is super cool!!! A while ago you recommended the Fetch with Ruff Ruffman show for families. We love it and all three really look forward to it, especially my middle kid.
SARAH! Totally love hearing what your kids are reading right now–thanks for sharing!! And I’m GLAD you love Ruff Ruffman–such a great show, right?! thanks for reading and huge thanks for taking the time to write, my friend. 🙂
My 7yr old reads anything (Willy Wonka, Magic School Bus); my 5yr old likes Mother Goose and Aesop’s Fables picture books while my 2yr old likes cars and animal boardbooks.
Can you recommend books for my 7 and 5yr old kids? Thanks! 🙂
JR–Thanks for hanging in there! I will continue to add book recommendations in the next few days/ weeks, but how about:
7 year old: Magic Tree House; A-Z Mysteries; Cam Jansen; Puppy Place Books; or Recipe for Adventure. For your 5 yo, try Karma Wilson’s Bear books; Numeroff’s If You Give A Mouse A Cookie books; or any of the Kevin Henkes books.
Hope this helps!!