Paired Reading information for Junior Infant Parents

We discussed Paired Reading at the parents' information meeting last June, but here are some reminders just in case:

·        Paired reading is given each evening Monday- Thursday.

·        It’s called “paired reading” because the child and an adult read together.

·        Keep it relaxed and casual.

·        Make it an enjoyable time together, not a chore.

·        Allow your child to use the pictures as an aid to reading.

·        Don’t make your child “sound out” the words, just give them the word if they are stuck.

·        Parent to fill in the reading record (yellow book) every day.

What if?

·        My child is learning it “off by heart”?

This is ok. Learning “off by heart” is one of the early steps in learning to read. If it continues on into Senior Infants, then it will need to be addressed.

·        Is over-reliant on the pictures?

This too is ok in the early stages of learning to read. Pictures cues are important to early readers. If you find your child is still overly-reliant on the pictures by next Easter, then have a word with the teacher.

·        Goes off paired-reading?

This can happen for various reasons: perhaps the reading is too difficult, perhaps paired reading has become a battle. If this starts to happen on a regular basis, talk to the teacher.

·        Is not “getting it”?

A certain percentage of children will struggle with reading. Most of these will do fine in the long-run. The most important thing is that the parent doesn’t communicate worry or stress about this to the child. Paired reading is intended to be an enjoyable and confidence-building exercise, not a daily exposure to stress and failure! If you’re concerned that your child is not succeeding with paired reading, please talk to the teacher.

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