Do you want to help your child become a more fluent, confident reader?
Find quick, practical tips to build reading fluency at home and support your child as they grow into an accurate, expressive reader.
What is reading Fluency?
Reading fluency means your child can:
- Read words correctly (accuracy)
- Read at a good speed (not too fast or too slow)
- Use expression (changing their voice to show feelings or punctuation)
Fluent readers sound smooth and natural when they read. If a child is not fluent, their reading may sound slow, choppy, or unsure. Fluency is important because:
- It helps your child understand what they read
- It makes reading more enjoyable
- It helps children keep up with schoolwork—especially in KS2, when there is much more reading to do
How you can help your child at home
1. Read aloud to your child
- Even if your child can read by themselves, hearing you read is still helpful!
- Let your child hear you read with expression and a clear voice
- Read all types of books (stories, information books, poems)
- Talk about the story or pictures together
2. Practice sounds in words
Some children struggle with fluency because they find it hard to break words into sounds. You can help by:
- Saying a word and asking your child to repeat it slowly
- Pointing out sounds like sh, ch, or ing
- Playing games with sounds (e.g., “What word rhymes with cat?”)
3. Learn common words (sight words)
These are words that appear often in books, like: the, said, come, was, my, they. To help your child:
- Practise reading these words quickly
- Spot them in books or on signs
- Use flashcards or simple word games
4. Try paired reading
This means reading together. You can:
- Take turns reading a sentence each
- Read aloud at the same time
Help your child when they get stuck on a word. Use a signal (like a nod or a tap) when your child wants help or wants to read alone.
5. Echo reading
- You read a sentence first
- Then your child reads it back, copying your tone and expression
This helps your child learn how to use their voice when reading.
6. Reread favourite books
Reading the same story again helps your child:
- Read more smoothly
- Feel more confident
- Understand the story better
- Praise them each time they improve!
7. Record and listen
- Record your child reading (on a phone or tablet)
- Listen to it together
- Talk about how it sounded—what was good, what they can try next time
This can be fun and helps them hear how their reading sounds.
8. Make reading fun!
- Let your child choose books they like—even comics or joke books
- Make reading a relaxed and happy time
- Praise their effort, not just their speed
The more they enjoy reading, the more they will want to practise.