Get Your Child to Read Accurately

Is your child constantly guessing the words instead of reading accurately? Try these simple steps to get your child to read accurately without the argument.

 

🚫Start with a "No Guessing" Agreement

First, tell your child that good readers don't guess. They check the letters to confirm the word. If a word doesn't match the letters, we stop and fix it."

Teach a Simple Fix-Up Strategy

1. Stop

2. Go back

3. Point under the word

4. Say the sounds

5. Blend

6. Reread the sentence

   
   

👀 Physically Anchor the Eyes  

Then help your child anchor the eyes. Skipping words often comes from eye-tracking issues.

Have your child try using a tool like:

• An index card or bookmark under the line.  

• A pencil that they can point to each word with.

  
  

📌 Important: These tools help them slow down and make fewer errors.  

🧠 Teach Skipping and Making Errors Hurts Understanding

After that, show your child how skipping even a single word can change the meaning of a sentence. Reread a sentence where a word was skipped or a mistake occurred. Talk about the differences in meaning and encourage your child to locate the mistake.

💬 Use Confidence Building Statements  

 While your child is reading and they make an error, use confidence building statements like:  

• Make sure you check every word."

• "Accuracy is more important than speed."

  
  

Follow the above steps and over time your children will begin to self-monitor, correct mistakes on their own and read accurately.