Keeping Track: Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read

so They can Read to Learn

en español

Learning how to read in elementary school is one of the most valuable skills your child must attain. Reading at grade level by the end of third grade is key to early school success and is a predictor of lifelong positive outcomes including graduating high school, going to college, and higher earning potential as an adult. 


How to Know if Your Child is Reading at Grade Level

A. Communicate with your child’s teacher to familiarize yourself with the reading level system, how it works, and where your child falls within the system. “System” refers to your school’s reading program and diagnostic exams.


Reading programs help teachers measure your child’s reading level and diagnostic exams are used to assess your child’s reading abilities. School districts may use different reading programs, but some common examples include:


  • LEXILE Range
  • Number Levels
  • Letter Levels
  • Accelerated Reader (AR) Levels

 

All use scales or leveled texts to show your student's current reading level and their proficiency goal based on grade. Students can move from one level to the next within weeks, so be sure to monitor early and often to see if they are advancing or falling behind. Don't wait for a six-week progress report card to learn how your student is performing. Sooner is always better.


Questions to ask:

  • What reading program do you use in this school?
  • What letter, number, Lexile, or AR level is my child at?
  • Is my child at grade level, above or below?


To learn about diagnostic exams, download the handout.


B. Monitor Learning at Home

It is important for all parents to be involved in helping their child learn and love to read. Students who fall behind in elementary school are more likely to catch up if the problem is caught and addressed early on. Parents who read with their child every night or as often as possible not only help their child be successful but also put themselves in the best position to monitor their child’s reading, so they stay on track. When listening to your child read, here are five crucial things to pay attention to.

 

  1. Reading Accuracy: How many of the words the child is reading correctly vs. incorrectly?
  2. Ability to Self-Correct: Does the child notice their errors?
  3. Fluency: Ability to read words smoothly and quickly enough to support comprehension.  
  4. Reading Comprehension: A child’s ability to comprehend the story. 
  5. Child’s Attitude and Confidence as a Reader: Self-perception has a major influence on reading achievement.

To learn more about each recommended action, please download the handout.
Download Handout


C. Additional Tips for Non-English-Speaking Parents


Parents who do not speak English may feel hesitant to reach out to their child’s teacher, but that shouldn't hold them back. Schools are equipped to support parent/teacher communication in various languages. Parents have the right to and should request an interpreter to assist with communication, if needed.


In addition, when parents do not speak English, monitoring their child’s reading may feel overwhelming. It is important to remember that reading together in any language strongly supports literacy in English. When a child reads books in another language, parents can apply the five skills listed above.   If you notice your child is struggling in any of these five areas, do not be afraid to reach out for help. 

D. Reading Resources



  • Visit your local city or county library and check out books and summer programming to reduce learning loss during the summer months!
  • Visit local museums. In addition to reading, children are stimulated to learn about history, science, and more!
  • Dedicate time for storytelling. Share stories from when you were little or play games where each family member contributes to developing a story. It is fun and creative for everyone.
  • Download a list of resources with articles, videos, games, and apps for you and your child.
  • Attend the PON Latino Family Summit on September 28 for an in-person workshop. Register by Friday, 9/20 here: https://tinyurl.com/bpe2b2wx.
Resources

Contributors

Daisy J. Amezcua, PON Director of Community Organizing, has provided tremendous support to parents of English learners to monitor student progress toward English language development. She contributed information about reading programs, diagnostic exams, and resources. If you need help related to reading programs, please contact her at damezcua@parentnetwork-la.org.

Hailee Didio has taught elementary school children for the past nine years. She spent two years teaching English in South Korea, and seven years teaching special education in the California public school system. Hailee holds a master's degree in special education as well as an Education Specialist teaching credential. Her passion is teaching struggling readers how to improve their reading as well as educating parents on how to help their children become more confident and successful readers. 
 
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